Whoustonrockets NCAA Football Betting News

<< AP source: Cavs sign Lowry to offer sheet
CLEVELAND (AP) -A person familiar with the move says the Cleveland Cavaliers have signed restricted free agent guard Kyle Lowry to an offer sheet.The Cavs have offered Lowry, a reserve for Houston, a three-year contract, said the person who spoke to

<< Wade says hardest part of rebuilding Heat is over
DORAL, Fla. (AP) -Dwyane Wade says the hardest part of rebuilding the Miami Heat ``is out of the way.''Speaking Wednesday morning at a charity golf tournament he co-hosts with Alonzo Mourning, Wade was saying that he remains confident Mike Miller wi

<< Nuggets reportedly land Harrington
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets have reached agreement with free agent forward Al Harrington on a five-year, $34 million contract, according to multiple media reports. Harrington averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 as

<< McCann propels NL to first All-Star victory since 1996
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann hit a three-run double in the seventh inning, boosting the National League to its first victory at the All-Star Game since 1996, a 3-1 decision over the American League at Angel

CFL West Report: Roughriders cream of the early crop >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Just two weeks into this young CFL season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are already living up to their billing as the best of the west. After a brilliant offensive performance in a 54-51 double- overtime win o

In the FCS Huddle: 2010 Matchups to Watch >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Look over the entire 2010 FCS schedule long enough and certain games stand out amid your eyes blurring. We're not talking about St. Francis (Pa.) at Morehead State, either. It's games like Richmond at Vi

Report: Cavs ink Kyle Lowry to offer sheet >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly made their first move of the post-LeBron James era, signing restricted free-agent guard Kyle Lowry to an offer sheet. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is citing multiple leag

New York signs French striker Henry as second DP >>
Secaucus, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York signed French forward Thierry Henry to a multi-year contract as its second designated player, the Major League Soccer club announced on Wednesday. Henry, a World Cup, European Cha

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.