NFL Preseason Games that Flip-Flop

Often in the NFL preseason, a number of spreads end up far different from original number. For example, a home team starts out as a three-point favorite and gets flipped over to the role of underdog by two points. Why would there be such a huge turnaround of money moving lines for a meaningless exhibition contest?

The most obvious reason is the amount of money being wagered on one side. More of your hardcore bettors take part in preseason action, since they want to start making wagers and test the waters. Generally speaking, these bettors tend to be somewhat more astute and are less inclined to bet just favorites. At the same time, sharps come fully prepared with information, using the internet to follow the daily progress of training camps. Coaches are much more open during this time and useful, true insights are just a few mouse clicks away.

Another factor is figuring determination. As opposed to the regular season, where confusing signals and patterns arise, August football can be pretty cut and dry. If a team is off a dreadful performance, the coaching staff will undoubtedly be unmerciful in riding a team hard in practice. By this time of training camp, the players are tired of the long and often physical workouts, beating their heads against the same players day after day. A bad loss is magnified right now, because with no real games up next, the coaches can micro-manage the smallest details. At this point, the players can sense what the coaches want and will bring full-focused effort into next game, beating opponent and covering the spread. This type of information is easy to read between the lines when a coach will talk about “a good week of practice” after losing the week prior.

It will also go the other way for teams. Take a team that has had a very good camp, the coaches have generally been pleased with effort and progress and have intentionally rode squad hard during the hot summer period. As a quiet reward, the head coach backs of the pedal a touch, going 80 percent instead of full throttle. Possibly the coach wants to use this time to determine final roster cuts and have the club refocus for the start of the regular season. In this scenario, word has leaked out about softer practices and this team might be ripe for the taking after satisfying win, especially if opponent is off a loss.

Injuries of course play a role, as coaches don’t want to risk a dinged up player in a meaningless affair. This is often an area of overreaction, as regulars see little playing time until this week anyway. What can be exposed is lack of depth as various positions, with deeper squads mounting fourth quarter comebacks to amazingly cover spreads of seemingly lost contests.

An old school method that still holds value among bettors is teams off a win by 10 or more points or a loss by double digits. This plays into the motivational aspect of teams, desiring to play better immediately or satisfied with previous effort. Since this way of thinking has been around for years, the results have been steady and bettors will often hone in on these types of contests.

On Saturday, four games fit the criteria of football games that flipped.

The New York Giants went from -1 to +3 at most sportbooks, as they prepare to face cross-locker room rival the Jets. Cincinnati with their wide receiver injuries opened at -2.5 and has been switched to +2.5. In yet another battle in the Sunshine State, those betting football have taken a shine to Jacksonville on the road, moving them from one-point underdogs to three-point favorites. Finally, in a CBS televised contest, Minnesota started at -1.5 and fell to +3 against Pittsburgh with uncertain status of Tarvais Jackson, who suffered a sprained right MCL in last week's 23-15 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

These flip-flops have meant little to bettors overall. Since the beginning of the decade, home favorites turned around to underdogs are 16-15-2 ATS and home dogs spun around to favorites are 11-9-1 ATS. Nothing of consequence shows up this week to play, however keep next week in mind, as home teams flipped from either the favorite or underdog roles are 8-3 ATS the last week of the preseason the last eight years.

Sports Betting Info for Saturday

Yesterday makes it three straight days of 2-1, which is a pretty good average in life when you think about it. Our Top Systems are running hot and have one that is 87.2 percent since the spacecraft Pathfinder landed on Mars (the answer to what year is below). Kendall is killing the oddsmakers in the NFL and has another Free play, along with his best baseball selection. Today’s Top Trend has us visiting the Gateway to the West. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY AGAINST road underdogs like the Reds, with a money line of +125 to +175, who are a poor hitting team with BA of .250 or less, against a decent starting pitcher like Aaron Cook (15-8, 3.86) in ERA range of 3.70 to 4.20 in the NL, who are batting .240 or worse over their last 10 games. This sweet system is 41-6, 87.2 percent the last 11 seasons.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Atlanta is 2-13 against the money line when playing against a good team (Win percentage of 54% to 62%) in the second half of the season in 2008.

Free Football and Baseball Selections -3) Kendall of the Left Coat Connection nailed the Packers last night as upset winner and also won with Atlanta to raise record to 9-1 in NFL Preseason. Tonight he’s backing the Jets in cross-locker room rivalry. As an added bonus he’s taking the White Sox in baseball as his top play.

Sports Betting Info for Friday

Almost another 3-0 day, with the Angels falling in extra innings for only loss. We are revisiting an unbelievable System that won recently and is now 31-1. Our Top Trend got off the snide and heads north of the border to follow the exploits of the Red Sox. Kendall from the Left Coast Connection is tearing up NFL and has his top Play. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY AGAINST all underdogs with a money line of +175 to +250 like San Diego, who are awful hitting club, batting .250 or worse over their last 20 games, against opponent with a hot starting pitcher like the Giants Tim Lincecum, who has WHIP under 1.000 over his last five starts. This system is ludicrous also at 31-1 since 2006.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Boston is 1-12 against the money line in games played on artificial turf this season.

Free Football Selection -3) Kendall from the LCC is 7-1 in the NFL Preseason and is unloading on Green Bay catching the points.

Georgia Bulldogs # 1 - No Chance

The college football writer’s poll was released last week with the Georgia Bulldogs ranked the number one team in the land for 2008. There are a plethora of reasons to back the Bulldogs to win the national championship. Head coach Mark Richt’s club returns 17 starters from what was arguably the best team in the country at the end of last season and brings seven game winning streak into this season. Talent wise, the Bulldogs can easily lineup with any team in the country and the case can rather easily be made they are truly better man for man across the board. Then why not enough love for being the top team in the FBS, this is one only Tim Meadows, The Ladies Man from Saturday Night Live might understand.
The Georgia schedule stands out like a shiny new Lexus about to compete at the local demolition derby and others are paying attention also. At many sportbooks, USC is the top betting choice to be national champs (West Coast betting bias) at +350, with Ohio State second at +400 and the Bulldogs and Oklahoma next at +500.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants even chimed in with LVSC Chief Operating Officer Ken White offering up the Bulldogs as number seven, instead of number one. “I can remember in 2005 that everyone thought Tennessee was going to be one of the best teams in the country (#3 AP), they were coming off a 10-3 season and returned 17 starters. The Vols had a monster schedule, playing four ranked opponents on the road and wound up struggling to a 5-6 record,” White said. One difference that should be noted, AP writers thoughts are based on where they believe they believe the teams should start the season, with LVSC rationale being where they should end up to conclude the season.

There is a series of obstacles that await Richt’s bunch and most have to do with the 2008 schedule that has more potential troubles than season four of MTV’s “The Hills”. The listed road games are at South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU, Kentucky and Auburn. Three of these teams are in the preseason Top 25, with the ol’ ball coach Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks lurking a spot or two just out of range.

South Carolina handed Georgia one of its two losses last season in Athens 16-12, as three-point underdogs. The Gamecocks have their best team since Spurrier arrived in Columbia and he welcomes back 10 starters on defense. Five of the last seven meetings have been decided by six or less points. Georgia is used to playing in the heat and humidity of the South, nonetheless the desert features all kinds of critters and assuredly Dennis Erickson will have his Arizona State team primed for the Dawgs on national television. This affair ends up being sandwiched between South Carolina and Alabama.

After a bye week, the SEC gauntlet begins in earnest. On October 11, Tennessee arrives to play between the hedges. The Vols hammered the Bulldogs 35-14, which ended up being Georgia’s last defeat. Certainly revenge will be on players minds, especially with a week off and they are 12-6-1 ATS with extra week of preparation in the regular season. Vanderbilt is listed as sacrificial lamb for homecoming. Next up, a sojourn to Baton Rouge.

Georgia figures to be favored in Columbia, SC and Tempe, AZ, however based on what we know today, the Dawgs will be dogs at LSU. This is not a bad thing, as smart bettors are attuned to Richt’s teams being expertly prepared on the road, as they are 22-3 SU in true visitor’s role. The Bulldogs are 7-2 ATS as road underdogs and this should be quite a battle. The following week is in Jacksonville, where the world largest bourbon convention convenes this side of Jack Daniels. A dog is a feast for an alligator and Georgia has been just that for Florida with 3-15 (6-11-1 ATS) record the last 18 seasons. Coach Richt went against personality type in this contest a year ago, setting the table for late season run with 42-30 victory. Florida has as much pure talent as Georgia and has revenge in mind after last season.

A natural letdown has to be expected at Kentucky, after two such emotion filled games meaning the possibility exists of having to work harder than expected in Lexington. The last SEC game is on the plains of Alabama in Auburn. The Tigers are always tough at home and will have witnessed in the film room the second half lambasting they received last year at Athens, losing 45-20, as the Bulldogs wore black jersey’s for the first time in what is considered the modern era of the football program.

After another week of richly deserved rest, the final conflict is annual battle with Georgia Tech. Though the Dawgs have had no problems with the Yellow Jackets in winning seven straight (5-1-1 ATS), this will mark first home game in six very strenuous weeks.

Don’t think for a second scheduling doesn’t matter, Tennessee was mentioned from a few seasons ago and a similar thing happened to USC last year, coming up flat and mistake prone in losing at home to Stanford and latter succumbing to Oregon on the road in a loaded Pac-10 in 2007.

The make-up of the roster is different than anticipated already before the first game. Sophomore offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant is out for the season with a severe injury to his left knee after earning All-SEC raves as a freshman. Senior FB Brannan Southerland is expected to miss up to five games recovering from foot surgery in June. His loss matters, since he was often the lead blocker for talented running back Knowshon Moreno. A few other off-the-field irregularities have led to suspensions that will impact depth and cohesion early in the year.

Despite a wonderfully talented squad with a distinguished head coach, look for Georgia to fall short of projections and drop a couple of contests. The possibility exists they might not even win division if one of the losses is to Florida. Expecting another two-loss team from the SEC to be national champs is just too much to ask. Find another team to wager on, since this one could be dog-gone disappointing to the locals.

Baseball Betting Numbers Change Dramatically

Just like the woman in the infomercial putting her hands together for “The Clapper”, oddsmakers have turned the switch in making dramatic changes in the baseball money lines they are now distributing. These are deep sweeping changes compared to last season, which can have a dramatic impact on how one wagers on baseball. What has happened and why?

Many bettors prefer to stay away from favorites at -150 or higher and will succumb to having to make alterations after the All-Star break as the money lines steadily increase on those in pennant races. Most bettors in the circles I travel will to up to -170 limit, before passing altogether or start wagering on run lines.

Through the first 21 days of August, the source used for opening lines, has seen a gargantuan total of 59 baseball games at -200 or higher. Compare that figure with 29 for the entire month of August in 2007 and you can understand what this year has brought us. Why the big change this season?

Gave professional gambler Sal from the Left Coast Connection a call to see if he could explain what is going on. “Douglas my friend, a number of factors, go into this vexing issue”, Sal said. “One of the biggest factors leading up to this is how general managers shifted their thinking this year. Players like C.C. Sabathia and Rich Harden were moved long before the trade deadline, as were a number of other players. This helped oddsmakers learn sooner about how a player or players would fit into teams and what chemistry issues might arise. For the most part, every acquisition any contending team has made has turned out to be a positive and squares have been betting these teams with regularity. This accounts for the rise in money line numbers so quickly.”

Along Sal’s thought process, teams that would normally fight to stay in pennant races until Labor Day, have hit the eject button on the season extremely early and have made call-ups already this month. Cleveland, after being one game away from World Series last year, bailed faster than a poker player holding a 2 and 4 hole cards in differing suits. Detroit threw in the towel early, not feeling they had a 2007 Colorado Rockies September run in them. Even a Steinbrenner named Hank, all but gave Hillary Clinton concession speech in the last 10 days, in talking about 2009, while the Yankees are still in wild card chase.

How does a baseball bettor combat this onslaught of mammoth numbers? We first talked to Mark Borchgard, chief handicapper at Basewinner.com. “When the numbers get this high (-200 or higher), I like to parlay them, but would only do so if I really liked the game. Just this past Sunday, I matched the Yankees and Minnesota together for an easy parlay winner. It is understood you have to win both games, which has a certain amount of risk, but better to make a one unit play on parlay number than accept the risk of losing at -200 or higher money line, with light payout on a winner.”

Veteran handicapper Mark Lawrence of Playbook.com has a different take to help bettors bust big numbers. “We’re seeing more of the -300 favorites this year than in the past. My philosophy is to make a case for the underdog or don’t chase the large favorites. The same pitcher that is a -300 pitcher today was -200 a month ago. The oddsmakers are compensating for this change in position, by the condition of team the pitcher plays for, by standing in the pennant race.” Mark went on to add, “In playing large underdogs, check the current form of pitchers, the condition of the team they’re playing and if they are not in losing streak and there is nothing wrong with this team (the underdog), consider fading these large favorites and if you do this until season’s end, you should have a chance to show a net profit.”

After talking to Steve Makinen from StatFox about this article, he happened to be talking to Bookmaker.com CEO Mickey Richardson afterwards and asked him about what is occurring this season in this regard to baseball betting lines. Mickey had this to say, ".....no parity this year, it will get worse as the season moves forward, you will start to see games at -400. Books are getting destroyed, as the public is jumping on the bandwagon and riding these favorites."

Sage advise from those who make their living betting and following baseball’s ever changing landscape, as we head down the stretch of the pennant races.

Thursday NFL Notes

In the NFL exhibition season, I’m 3-1 and backing the Bears tonight at minus 3. This is contrary to what has occurred thus far in commish Roger Goodell’s pretend world of letting owner charge full price for these contests. (It’s not Jolly Roger’s fault, many before him let the precedent take hold) Home favorites are 7-23-3 against the spread, with the Over the best Totals play at 20-13.

The unfortunate death of Gene Upshaw is not good news for small market teams like Green Bay, Buffalo and Jacksonville, as rich, greedy owners make take this opportunity to really create labor unrest and abolish salary cap, leaving franchises like this in the dust instead of the larger viewpoint of what is best for the sport.

Baseball Betting Info for Thursday

We got back on the winning track at 3Daily Winners with 2-1 day. We have unearthed another System that is almost inconceivable at 93.1 percent. The perfect Trend returns, following the exploits of Seattle this time. Free Play is from the left Coast Connection in American league action. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY ON all favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 like Cleveland, who are below average hitting team (BA .265 or less) against a good starting pitcher like Zack Greinke (9-8, 3.92), who owns ERA of 4.20 or less in the AL, in the second half of the season. This money making system is conspicuous 41-3, 93.1 percent since 1997. How does this system work so effectively, maybe having pitchers like Cy Young winner to be Cliff Lee (17-2, 2.43) backing it up.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Seattle is 0-16 after allowing nine or more runs in next encounter.

Free Baseball Selection -3) Though not a one-sided consensus, the Left Coast Connection has seven bettors on the Angels and three on Minnesota. Free Play is officially on the Halos.

Baseball Betting Info for Wednesday

Hope you enjoyed yesterday’s incredible System play and we have one nearly as good today, with an 89.4 winning percentage. Today’s Top trend takes us to the Windy City and we need to break brief losing streak in this area. Also we look to get back on track with our Free selections and have consensus play loaded. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY AGAINST road underdogs like Oakland, with a money line of +175 to +250, after allowing 10 runs or more against opponent after a combined score of 15 runs or more. This system is sizzling 34-4, 89.4 percent the last three years.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Chicago Cubs have won 18 of last 22 night games at Wrigley Field.

Free Baseball Selection -3) The Left Coast Connection actually had two games where everybody was on one side. The first one won't count with six guys on Milwaukee in afternoon action, tonight seven players will be on Matt Cain and the Giants as official Free selection at 3Daily Winners.

Free Tuesday Baseball Selections at 3DW

Honestly disappointed with 1-2 day and have uncovered a superb System that will take your breath away with its phenomenal record. Milwaukee is in outstanding spot for today’s Top Trend and Free Play has one of the Left Coast Connection bettors playing a money line parlay. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY AGAINST all underdogs like Oakland, with a money line of +175 to +250, who are batting .250 or worse over their last 20 games against opponent with a hot starting pitcher like the Twins Kevin Slowey, who has WHIP 1.000 or less over his last five starts. Drum roll please, this system is 30-1 since 2006. WOW!

Free Baseball Trend -2) Milwaukee is 15-1 against the money line in home games with a hot bullpen whose ERA is under 3.00 the last 15 games over the last two seasons.

Free Baseball Selection -3) With so many huge numbers today, one member from the LCC makes sense in playing the Brewers and Cardinals in money line parlay.

CFB Pre-Season Magazines- Part Dos

In part two of our article about college football pre-season magazines, we’ll take a gander at the other five conferences, the Big Ten, Pac-10, SEC, MAC and Sun Belt. Three of the five leagues have unanimous choices, with a couple up for grabs. Read on to learn more.


Big Ten
1)Ohio State
2)Wisconsin
3)Illinois
4)Penn State
5)Michigan
6)Michigan State
7)Iowa
8)Purdue
9)Northwestern
10)Indiana
11)Minnesota

Analysis- In this beleaguered conference, everyone loves Ohio State, predicts Wisconsin for second (except for one magazine) and the rest of the league is somewhat up for grabs. The Buckeyes have three road encounters of note, at USC, at Wisconsin and at Illinois. If they come away unscathed and are undefeated, they likely will be in Miami for another championship try. The Badgers have the most talent coming back of the next tier of teams, with Illinois and Penn State right behind. Michigan is in the unlikely group of ordinary, of which only Indiana and Minnesota are not listed. The Big Ten is rated third in the nation in conferences, quite a ways behind the SEC and the Big 12.

Pac-10
1)USC
2)Arizona State
3)Oregon
4)California
5)UCLA
6)Arizona
7)Oregon State
8)Washington
9)Stanford
10)Washington State

Analysis – For the most part, the Pac-10 has always been about talented signal callers. With USC again the only squad thought to rule the roost in this 10-team league, even they have doubters if Mark Sanchez is the man for the job. The Trojans have superior talent on defense, compared to almost anyone in the Pac-10. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter of Arizona State is preseason first team choice in the conference and is among the reasons they were picked second in all but periodical. Oregon, California and UCLA round out the next grouping, all with question marks at quarterback and holes in various spots. Arizona is given a chance to crack into the upper division by a few; however must fill defensive voids or coach Bob Stoops might be on the stoop looking for next employment. The rest of the league doesn’t receive much respect, nor does it deserve it.

SEC East
1)Georgia
2)Florida
3)Tennessee
4)So. Carolina
5)Kentucky
6)Vanderbilt

SEC West
1)LSU
2)Auburn
3)Alabama
4)Mississippi State
5)Arkansas
6)Mississippi

Analysis –The SEC could be in for another wild ride in 2008, based on how the experts see things. Georgia and Florida took all the first place votes, with the Bulldogs earning the most at 66.7 percent. The Gators could surpass Georgia, as toughest road game is at Tennessee, while Mark Richt’s team is at South Carolina, at LSU and at Auburn. The rest of East saw teams fitting into particular slots. LSU and Auburn split being the top choice in the SEC West, with LSU finishing higher because StatFox Edge gave Tommy Tuberville’s squad a third place finish. Even though it’s in September, the winner of LSU at Auburn grabs the upper hand. Alabama is expected to make noise with improving talent and General, whoops, coach Nick Saban will be cracking the whip. The rest of the West hopes to find way to minor bowl bids.

MAC-East
1)Miami-O
2)Bowling Green
3)Buffalo
4)Temple
5)Kent State
6)Ohio U
7)Akron

MAC –West
1)Central Michigan
2)Ball State
3)Western Michigan
4)Toledo
5)Northern Illinois
6)Eastern Michigan

Analysis- Opinions almost always vary in the MAC, which tends to have wild swings. One aspect not expected to change is Miami-O and Central Michigan to meet again for MAC championship. The Redhawks will have to rely on a very good defense, as coach Steve Montgomery tries to add facets of offense together. Others give Bowling Green a chance, picked twice to be MAC East champs, with 17 returning starters. The Falcons fate could be determined even before playing a MAC encounter, with strenuous non-conference slate. Thoughts on Kent State and Buffalo were all over the place. The Golden Flashes were picked from second to last and improving Buffalo, third to last. Central Michigan can score, having all-everything Dan LeFevour at quarterback. If the Chippewas find any defense this season, they are prohibitive favorites. If CMU slips even a little, Ball State lead by quarterback Nate Davis will displace Central Mich. as champs. All 11 starters are back on offense for the Cardinals, with defense the conundrum. With Ball State at CMU in later November, oddsmakers start at 76 points for total and work upward.

Sun Belt
1)Florida Atlantic
2)Troy
3)UL-Monroe
4)Louisiana-Lafayette
5)Arkansas State
6)Middle Tennessee State
7)North Texas
8)Florida International

Analysis- In Sun Belt country, this race is thought to be like a 1-3 favorite for a horse race, as defending champs Florida Atlantic is far ahead of the competition with 19 starters back. No less than eight players for the Owls are considered to be first team all-Sun Belt. Troy is the clear second choice; however must replace QB Omar Haugabook. UL-Monroe is curious choice for third with potential to move up. They won five of last six (beat Alabama 21-14 on the road) and has tremendous speed at skill positions and other areas. With less murderous schedule to start the year and aforementioned teams at home in back-to-back weeks, just maybe the Warhawks could surprise. Everyone agrees North Texas and Florida International are in for long seasons.

Free Baseball Selections at 3DW

It seems very odd; twice our top trend has been to play against Baltimore on Sunday’s and they have won both times, accounting for three of their wins all season. We’re not silly, no more playing against the O’s on this day. After yesterday’s easy win, today’s Top System is 86 percent in over a decade of plays. Monday’s Top Trend takes us to the finale of San Fran and Atlanta series and the Free Play takes a look at hot-hitting underdog. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY AGAINST road underdogs like Seattle, with a money line of +150 or more, who are meager AL offensive team, scoring 4.2 runs or less runs a game, against a team with a good bullpen (ERA 3.75 or less) like the White Sox, with a decent bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 to 1.450 on the season. This system is a salivating 49-8, 86 percent the last 11 years.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Barry Zito and San Francisco are 3-16 when he is starting pitcher in day games.

Free Baseball Selection -3) Sort of a mixed bag from our experts, thus I'll step up go out on a limb and call for a hot-hitting Baltimore bunch to win as underdog. They have averaging 8.5 runs per game in last 10 outings and better than 13 hits a contest during this stretch. Let's see what happens.

CFB Pre-Season Magazines Add Intrigue

One of the joys of most anything in life is the anticipation of an event. You can take the time to be excited, prepare and look forward to what will be taking place. An annual right of summer is to gather the various college football magazines and go over the predictions from each conference. As a writer and handicapper, I have been pouring over data for months now and have strong feelings and opinions about how the various conferences races could play out. Part of winning in the fall in college football is having the information necessary to place yourself into a position to win. This is why I annually make pilgrimages to the various book stores to purchase all the magazines containing college football material.

The reason for doing has three distinct purposes. The first is I’m seeking information on the coaches and teams I may have missed in my own personal research. No matter how hard or far you dig, you will always find other useful nuggets. Next is learning about all the players, particularly the difference makers on each team, which is a powerful tool to understand if a team may be over or under-rated before the season starts. Lastly, just to see what other so-called experts think in making predictions. For example, why would a couple of magazines pick Memphis first in the Conference USA West Division, when three different ones have them finishing fourth? This is worth reading to understand why they would have such a difference of opinion and if points are valid or just baloney. Plus this allows one to find strong situations to place futures wagers at places like Sportsbook.com on particular teams.


Listed below is the accumulation of all the conferences and the teams ranked in order taking all the pre-season publications that were acquired, along with further analysis. Today we will at the ACC, Big East, MWC, Big 12, WAC, C-USA and Independents.

ACC -Atlantic
1)Clemson
2)Wake Forest
3)Florida State
4)Boston College
5)Maryland
6)NC State


ACC – Coastal
1)Virginia Tech
2)North Carolina
3)Miami-Fl
4)Georgia Tech
5)Virginia
6)Duke

Analysis- The perception of this league has taken a major hit, having last won a BCS bowl game in 1999, when Florida State won national championship. Clemson and Virginia Tech are unanimous choices to win respective divisions, though both have question marks coming into the season. The Hokies should have the easier time as only North Carolina is thought to be a team on the rise, with the others either unchanged of falling. Tommy Bowden’s Clemson club has the most talent, which has been the case in other years also, when they failed to meet expectations. Wake Forest has nine starters back on defense and QB Riley Skinner and will host Clemson in early October. With the improvement the Demon Deacons continue to make, they are becoming more of a play against team because of ill-suited favorite roles. Florida State and the rest of the teams in the Atlantic Division are treading water at best.

Big East
1)West Virginia
2)South Florida
3)Pittsburgh
4)Connecticut
5)Rutgers
6)Cincinnati
7)Louisville
8)Syracuse

Analysis- West Virginia is the accordant choice by everyone to be the BCS representative again in 2008. The Mountaineers lost talent on offense at skill positions, however, maintain in the areas that count most, with quarterback Pat White and four offensive linemen back. The defense will need some work with seven new starters, with program still carrying enough depth moving ahead. South Florida received every second place vote except one and is believed to be the only real competition for West Virginia, with outside chance to steal Big East crown if the ‘Teers don’t adjust to new coach Bill Stewart. Pittsburgh doesn’t gather a lot of support, since all they have done in the Dave Wannstedt era is underachieve. Connecticut brings back 17 starters, yet most don’t believe vanilla offense can offset a solid defense again. Louisville has fallen this far this quick, Yikes!

Mountain West
1)BYU
1)Utah
3)TCU
4)New Mexico
5)Wyoming
6)Air Force
7)San Diego State
8)Colorado State
9)UNLV

Analysis –BYU is prohibitive choice; yet not unanimous favorite to execute three-peat, being Mountain West champions. The Cougars have 10 starters back on offense, from one of the best in the country and are thinking BCS bowl as well. Games at Washington and home to UCLA will provide early answer about BCS prospects and conference road trips to TCU and rival Utah will provide the rest of the equation. Utah picked up a few first place and third place votes. The Utes receiving first place votes is somewhat predicated on hosting both BYU and TCU. The Horned Frogs should be just fine on offense, but have holes to fill in 4-2-5 base defense. Coach Rocky Long usually finds a way to earn a bowl berth and many feel this is Wyoming’s best chance for bowl in four years.

Big 12 North
1)Missouri
2)Kansas
3)Colorado
4)Nebraska
5)Kansas State
6)Iowa State

Big 12 South
1)Oklahoma
2)Texas
3)Texas Tech
4)Oklahoma State
5)Texas A&M
6)Baylor

Analysis – With apologies to Iowa State, the Big 12 should go down as the Year of the Quarterback in 2008. Pundits see a return engagement of Chase Daniel of Missouri and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma dueling for the conference title as division champions. Missouri has 10 starters returning on defense and almost every void filled on offense except running back. Kansas should be right behind the Tigers, in the North Division, yet doesn’t figure to pass them, receiving conference schedule upgrade, which includes Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech from the South. Colorado and Nebraska should be improved; it just won’t show up in the standings. The Texas offense will score points, nevertheless are on fourth straight new defensive coordinator in Will Muschamp, from a defense that allowed 35 points per game in last five outings. Texas Tech is slated for third, and has 36 players back from two-deep roster. Oklahoma State and Texas A&M are very close, with whatever defense plays better moving up.


WAC
1)Fresno State
2)Boise State
3)Nevada
4)Hawaii
5)Louisiana Tech
6)New Mexico St.
7)San Jose State
8)Idaho
9)Utah State

Analysis- Fresno State deserves credit for helping establish the WAC as legitimate league, playing excellent non-conference opponents tough and beating enough of them to be noticed. One missing piece for the Bulldogs has been winning WAC crown, since last sharing in 1999. They receive 70 percent of the votes this season and will have 16 talents starters returning for coach Pat Hill. To win, Bulldogs must avoid the game(s) they always mange to lose in conference. If Fresno State does slip, Boise State is expected to take their place, though recruiting efforts seem to have suffered. The Broncos do have most of the league contenders on the blue turf, however. Nevada is set to score points like usual and the fortunes of Hawaii will take a tumble.


Conference USA East Division
1)Central Florida
2)East Carolina
3)Memphis
4)So. Mississippi
5)Marshall
6)UAB

Conference USA West Division
1)Tulsa
2)Houston
3)UTEP
4)SMU
5)Tulane
6)Rice

Analysis- This conference has become largely irrelevant in the national scope, with its biggest showcase being its C-USA title game. This league has replaced the old WAC conference from 1962-1998, known for little defense and high scoring affairs. Tulsa was on every ballot to win the Western Division and Houston was on all but one to finish right behind the Hurricane. The Eastern side of the league is more convoluted. Memphis gathered the most first place votes and also the most fourth place votes, suggesting anything is possible for the Tigers team. Central Florida more or less won by default, having the same number of first place tallies as East Carolina, just more second place votes. Besides Tulsa, the only thing magazine writers agreed on was UAB will finish last in division.


Independents
1)Notre Dame
2)Navy
3)Army
4)Western Kentucky


Analysis- Depending on who is serving the kool-aid, Notre Dame will finish anywhere from 6-6 to 10-2. Ken Nuimatalolo wears the main head set after a decade under Paul Johnson guidance and will try to extend five consecutive Commander-in-Chief trophies and bowl game streak. Army’s going back to wishbone, essentially wasting the first year under coach Stan Brock. Western Kentucky has one warm-up season as independent before heading off to Sun Belt.

Tommorrow - Part 2

Free Baseball Plays on Sunday

The L.A. Dodgers bullpen cost us a 3-1 record on Saturday, but as we all know, things (fill in your own word) happen. Today we have awesome System that is sensational 87.1 percent since 2006. We actually revisit a Top Trend and it will look familiar. Mark from the Left Coast Connection has been on fire and is unloading with a monster baseball selection. Good Luck.

Free Baseball System -1) PLAY AGAINST all underdogs like the Pirates, with a money line of +175 to +250, where team's hitters draw three walks or less a game on the season, against opponent with a hot starting pitcher like Johan Santana, with a WHIP under 1.000 over his last five starts. This galvanic system is 34-5, 87.1 percent the last three years.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Baltimore Orioles actually won a few weeks ago on this day; however are still 2-17 playing on Sunday’s.

Free Baseball Selection -3) Mark of the LCC has heated up like the Las Vegas August sun and is on 13-2 run in all sports. Today he has huge play on the Angels.