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BCS stands up to CongressNCAA Football Betting Lines06/01/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - I have always been a proponent of a playoff system in major college football. It is the best way to determine a national champion, with the least amount of controversy. Of course, the powers that be don't want that to happen for financial reasons, making the scenario a moot point for the foreseeable future. The side of this I find most interesting however, is the length to which the U.S. government is getting involved in the BCS and the current system. Forgive me, but aren't we as a nation dealing with war on two fronts (Afghanistan and Iraq), a struggling economy, health care reform and a major environmental mess off the Gulf Coast? There is too much other work to be done on Capitol Hill, to be bothered with a way to determine who is dubbed champion in the FBS. Of course, that is the exact sentiment that the BCS big-wigs are counting on from the public. Senators Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) are the ring leaders on this issue, questioning the Bowl Championship Series, how it is run, and how the television money is doled out. Specifically, how much of the pie goes to non-BCS conferences. In early March, the senators drafted a letter to BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock, with their specific concerns regarding the BCS system. Hancock responded recently with his own, five-page letter. "While I appreciate your interest, I believe that decisions about college football should be made by university presidents, athletics directors, coaches and conference commissioners rather than by members of Congress." While the letter goes on to gloss over revenue distribution, automatic qualification, the BCS structure, the organization and administration of the BCS and the computer rankings, Hancock failed to directly answer any of the questions posed by Hatch and Baucus and the lengthy response represented little more than rhetoric. It's clear that Hancock doesn't believe he owes anyone an explanation of how the BCS is run, much less Congress. Less than satisfied with the response, Senator Hatch wasted no time to fire back at Hancock recently. "Today, the BCS simply confirmed what most fans of college football have known for some time - that the BCS system is biased, secretive and harmful to schools and competitors. Our letter gave them an opportunity to reply with openness and transparency about how the BCS system actually works. In response, we got an arrogant rebuke and a series of incomplete and evasive answers to simple questions." Hatch continued to express his dismay with the BCS. "I agree that university presidents and conference commissioners should be able to make the proper decisions regarding college football. The problem is that the small number of privileged schools that participate in the closed system have been unwilling to provide students, athletes and fans with what they deserve - a fair, unbiased system like the kind they have in literally every other NCAA sport. No one wants to see Congress get involved here, including me. But if this response is any indication, there may not be any other option." While I can appreciate Hancock's position and the fact that he clearly believes Congress has no right to interfere with the BCS and how it is run, is he waking up a sleeping giant? It is obviously no coincidence that Hatch is a senator from Utah, and his interest in this appeases his voter base, considering the University of Utah is a central figure with the success the non-BCS school has enjoyed in the recent past. Hancock has given Congress what it asked for, but did so in a manner that could bring more Congressional hearings down the line. Thumbing your nose at the establishment rarely works out, and only time will tell if Hancock and the BCS will come out of this stronger for it.
<< South Korea makes final roster cuts
Seoul, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - South Korea veteran Lee Dong-Gook, who played in the 1998 World Cup but missed the last two tournaments, survived the country's final cuts Tuesday for the 2010 World Cup. Lee played in 1998, but was l
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South Africa cuts all-time leading scorer McCarthy >>
Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - South Africa's all-time leading scorer Benni McCarthy was left off the final roster Tuesday for the World Cup. McCarthy, 32, was among the five cuts made by manager Carlos Alberto Parreira. McCa
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MySportsbook.com week 1 NFL linesNow that the 2008 NFL schedule is finally out, it is only matter-of-course for lines on “Week 1” to follow. Of course MySportsbook.com is the first to churn out odds for the NFL’s inaugural week for the upcoming season. Expect a lot of fireworks the first Thursday night of the season as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts face off against the surprise of the 2008 season, the New Orleans Saints. These teams were ranked #1 and #3 in the NFL respectively a season ago so a high scoring affair could be in order. As of now, the Colts will be giving 6 points to the Saints; keep in mind the Saints were one of the better road teams last season going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS. The first Monday night of the season will again provide a “double feature”. Coming off a disappointing season, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to get back to playoffs and improve their public image as they take on the AFC North favorite Baltimore Ravens. The second game features a couple of teams that haven’t had too much success recently but each could make some noise if the NFC is as weak as it was last year as the San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. The most interesting game of the opening week will feature the NFC champion Bears as they hit the road to take on the NFL’s top team during last year’s regular season, the San Diego Chargers. MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds: Saints +6 @ Colts -6 Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em) Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em) Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5 Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1 Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3 Patriots -5 @ Jets +5 Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5 Steelers -4 @ Browns +4 Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6 Bears +6 @ Chargers -6 Lions +3 @ Raiders -3 Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5 Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4 Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3 Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3 Super Bowl line (2008) NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5 MySportsbook is a large, publicly traded company with strong financial backing. You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Super Bowl XLIV OddsSuper 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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