NBA Betting Preview: Saturday Jan 30th, 2010

With all of the focus this time of the year on Super Bowl odds and everyone’s NFL predictions, it is easy to overlook some easy bets to make in other sports. This Saturday, there are three games that can be taken advantage of in the NBA if you take a close look.

Game 1)

Portland Trail Blazers (27-20, 6th in west) @ Dallas Mavericks (30-16. 3rd in west)

Sportsbook outlook:

Spread: Dallas -8

Total: 193

Money lines: Dallas -180, Portland +160

This matchup, which would be a first round playoff series if the season ended today, is more one-sided than it looks on paper. Portland has made a yeoman’s effort this season while dealing with injuries to both centers (Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla) and to forward Nic Batum who only now just came back. Just lost to the Blazers is All-Star SG Brandon Roy who is irreplaceable on this squad. Dirk Nowitzki is having an MVP-caliber season (if LeBron wasn’t in the league), and cannot really be stopped.

Prediction: Dallas 94- Blazers 81

Game 2) New Orleans Hornets (25-20, 9th in west) @ Memphis Grizzlies (25-19, 7th in west)

Sportsbook outlook: (*approximation)

Spread: Memphis -5

Total: 206

Money Lines: Memphis – 160, New Orleans + 140

The New Orleans Hornets are led by All-Star guard Chris Paul and CP3 has been terrific once again this season with 20.5 PPG, 11.1 APG, 4.6 RPG with 2.27 steals a contest. The players around him however, have been merely average. F David West has been bothered by an ankle of late but has been solid averaging 17.7 PPG and 7.6 RPG. New Orleans has begun starting rookie guard Marcus Thornton after a trade of former starter Devin Brown to the Bulls. Memphis has looked like a machine recently and All-Star Zack Randolph leads the way for this young team that features Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Memphis is 17-5 at home this season and New Orleans is 9-16 on the road. Expect Memphis to ride the rejuvenated Zeebo Randolph to the W.

Prediction: Memphis 101- New Orleans 90

Game 3) Charlotte Bobcats (22-22, t-7th in east) @ Sacramento Kings (16-28, 3rd from the cellar)

Sportsbook outlook:

Spread: Charlotte - 1

Total: 196

Money Lines: Charlotte – 115, Sacramento -105

This under the radar matchup is listed for one main reason: The Bobcats stink on the road. Charlotte is 4-17 away from home while the Kings have 13 of their 16 wins in Sacramento (13-9). Kings G Tyreke Evans is the odds on favorite for rookie of the year and with former all-star Kevin Martin back from injury, provide for a lot of scoring. The Kings are a good young team battling growing pains this season, but have lots of promise. If they can ship Martin for a first round pick, they would be smart. Charlotte is led by first time All-Star Gerald Wallace and his high flying ways. Expect to see little defense and some spectacular plays in this potential, and likely let down game for the Bobcats.

Prediction: Sacramento 112- Charlotte 105

Gambling Advisor: If you parlay these three games, you will be in good shape to start the weekend. Take the money lines in games 1) and 2) and the spread for the Kings in game 3).

Udinese Eliminates Milan from Italy Cup

Udinese's, eliminate Milan of the online football betting Italian Cup by defeating home today 1-0 to advance to the semifinals.

The Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inlar authored the game-winner in the 55th minute after a pinpoint pass from Sanchez. Chile striker rounded off a great game, not just in attack, but was sacrificed in the defense, which does not happen often.

Udinese, who is in 16th place and close to the relegation zone in the online sports betting Italian league, could have retired with a much more succulent booty in front of a computer that is in second place in the standings with 40 points and seven behind leaders Inter.

Particularly in the first half, Udinese had several reasons to retire to rest with a result that would have allowed him immediately to ensure victory.

The occasion was clearer Sanchez in the 25th minute when he was alone in front of Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, the best of his team and his shot hit a stick.

The coach of the Rossoneri, Brazilian Leonardo, played for the reserves because their priority is the championship, the only set that from a distance, he is fighting the Scudetto to Inter.

Anyway, to try to change the fortunes of the party, Leonardo court ordered some of his senior players like Andrea Pirlo and Marco Borriello, but it was Udinese who had more chances.

The attack was the veteran Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, who was the shadow of the big striker was, without even once pulling the bow.

Island also played a great game, but overall his team did a great level.

Udinese will play the semi-final with Roma, who qualified by winning Catania 1-0 yesterday. The semifinal round will be played on February 3 and the return on 10 February.

NFL Betting – Super Bowl Prop Picks

Team To Use First Timeout

Super Bowl 2010 Odds: Colts -115, Saints -115

Although both offenses are very smart with their timeouts, it’s surprising to see both teams even on the odds in this prop.

The Colts are always lineup well and very rarely are surprised by anything that the opposing defense presents. They usually have all three of their timeouts when they head into the two-minute warning each half, so they have an edge in this one. Bet the Saints to be the first to use a timeout.

Will The First Touchdown Of The Game Happen Via Run Or Pass?

Super Bowl Betting: Pass -200, Run +160

With two passing teams, this appears to be an obvious one. The Colts had 33 passing touchdowns this year and just 16 rushing while the Saints had 34 passing touchdowns and just 21 rushing. When you do the math, the pass is the play here.

Both teams struggle in the red zone as well so they will be looking to pass it in even if they get up close.

Will There Be A Special Teams Or Defensive Touchdown?

Super Bowl Prop Betting: Yes +150, No -180

No is an excellent play on this line, which seems surprisingly low considering the two teams that are playing. Both teams are very efficient with the football and with two Pro Bowl quarterbacks, the defenses are going to have to make an amazing play to cause a takeaway. Furthermore, there are far more playmakers on the offensive side than on defense, which means not only forcing a turnover but taking it to the house is going to be a tall order.

As far as special teams go, neither team is known for their returns. This whole prop is essentially “Will Reggie Bush score a special teams touchdown?”.

-180 looks good for ‘no’.

The First Turnover Of The Game Will Be…

Bodog Review: Fumble +125, Interception -155, No Turnover +800

It’s not often that an NFL game goes without a turnover, but bettors have to be curious about the 8-to-1 odds offered up for two fairly efficient teams.

Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are about as careful as can be with the football and when consider how sloppy the Minnesota Vikings were in the NFC Championship Game, both teams will be preaching to be careful. +800 looks like some good value.

NFL Betting – NFC’s Quarterbacks Superior To AFC Backups

While most people are already looking forward to the Super Bowl betting line, keep in mind that we do have one more week of football before we get to the big game. The Pro Bowl has moved to the week before the Super Bowl, which means we won’t be entirely football-free this week. Here is a preview of the NFL’s All-Star Game, which will take place in Hawaii this year.

2010 Pro Bowl

NFC @ AFC

Gambling Advisor blog Pick : NFC -2

NFL Betting Total: 58.5

Normally, the week between the AFC and NFC Championship Games, and the Super Bowl, is fairly dull. We get excited on the Monday when we find out what the matchup is, handicap it for a couple of days and then by the end of the week, we are tired of all the different speculating and are craving the game already.

This year, Commissioner Roger Gooddell has implemented a change in the hopes that the Super Bowl off week isn’t a dry week, and that NFL fans have something to look forward to this week – regardless of how small – to distract us a little bit from the big game.

This year’s contest lacks luster as the changing of the date has had a big ripple effect on the contest. With the Pro Bowl being played in the week before the Super Bowl, the players on either of the teams in the Super Bowl will not be partaking in the Pro Bowl. Generally speaking, that’s a big deal since the two teams in the Super Bowl are the two best.

It has had a big impact on this year’s roster in particular as the AFC will be without all three of its originally three pick quarterbacks. Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning will not participate in the game, which thrusts Matt Schaub, Vince Young and David Garrard into the spotlight.

The NFC has a real edge at quarterback as they’ll have Aaron Rodgers, Donovan McNabb and possibly Brett Favre. After the beating Favre took, he’ll likely sit this one out but even so, the NFC has a big edge at the most important position on the field.

The total is tough to handicap but based on the quarterback rotations alone, the pick here has to be the NFC.

Free Sports Betting Pick: NFC -2

NBA Betting – Hornets head out west to face hot Nuggets

2010 Super Bowl odds are the big story in New Orleans right now with the Saints, but the Hornets have improved since the beginning of the year and could be ready to take over the city when NFL betting season is over. However, they’ll have their hands full when they take on Denver on the road on Saturday night.

Hornets vs Nuggets betting – Saturday, January 23, 9:00 PM ET

The Hornets will kick off a stretch to end January where they play five road games in six outings in Minnesota on Friday, but prior to the meeting with the Grizzlies, New Orleans had a very good 8-3 record in January after a slow start to the season. David West is starting to get on a roll, averaging 19.8 points in his last five games prior to Friday. Defense is essential to the Hornets’ sportsbook odds, as they’re 6-12 when the opponents score 100 points or more.

The Nuggets have dropped 100 points or more in their last six games, which, not coincidentally, has resulted in a six-game winning streak. Carmelo Anthony has averaged 27.8 points over his five games, but it’s a healthy Chauncey Billups that has Denver rolling. Billups has averaged 24.0 points in his last five games and he’s been hot since returning from a groin injury. We saw how Billups changed the Nuggets last year, and they’re a different team with him in the lineup.

US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews) should favor Denver at home, where they are a brilliant 19-3. The Hornets have dropped their last four trips to Denver, and combined with the high altitude in Colorado and a 3-5 record in the second half of back-to-back games this season, it doesn’t look good for the Hornets. The matchup between Billups and New Orleans’ Chris Paul at the point position will be fun to watch, but the outside of Paul and West, there isn’t very much offense, and the Nuggets have plenty of weapons to run up and down the floor. Also, look for a big game from the Nuggets’ big-man trio of Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chris “Birdman” Andersen. These guys are an underrated part of Denver’s success.

Bet on sports: Denver

NFL Betting – Saints look to stop Minnesota roll

The Super Bowl line for this week’s NFC championship matchup between New Orleans and Minnesota has fallen a bit since opening, and linesmakers are banking on a close game. Can the Saints prove them wrong to reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history?

Vikings vs Saints odds – Sunday, January 24, 6:40 PM ET

The Vikings stomped Dallas 34-3 at home to end the season 9-0 at the Metrodome, and they even threw in an unnecessary touchdown at the end of the game to shut up the Cowboys, who were talking earlier in the contest. Brett Favre was 15-of-24 for 234 yards and four touchdowns, and of course, his favorite target was Sidney Rice, who caught six passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns that were worth the price per head of admission by themselves. Defensively, the Vikings’ front four dominated, racking up for turnovers while sacking Dallas quarterback Tony Romo six times.

The Saints showed no signs of rust in a 45-14 romp over Arizona, as Drew Brees went 23-of-32 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Bush was a force, putting up 217 all-purpose yards, including a 46-yard touchdown run and an 83-yard punt return for a score, and he ran with more purpose than he has, possibly, in his entire career. The defense gave up a 70-yard touchdown run on their first play from scrimmage, and then shut down a high-powered Arizona offense.

Bookmaker odds (bookmaker reviews) have the Saints as a 3.5-point favorite, falling at least a half-point in most sportsbooks, and this may be due to the powerful Minnesota offense, featuring Favre and Rice. The Saints made some big plays against the Cardinals, but they can still be burned. Look for safety Darren Sharper, who tied for the league lead in picks with nine and recovered a fumble against the Cardinals, to be watching Rice over the top because the lanky receiver burned Dallas all day long with big plays. Also, the biggest factor this week will be the crowd, and the Vikings know all about that. The Cowboys crumbled when the Vikings got the Metrdome behind them with big plays, and the Superdome is just as loud. How they handle the crowd will dictate how they play on Sunday, but it just seems like this is the Saints’ year.

NFL picks: Saints -3.5

NFL Betting – Colts out for revenge against Jets

As far as NFL betting underdogs go, the Jets have been an online betting player’s dream this year, picking up a pair of wins on the road. But this week, they face an Indianapolis team that has probably wanted to play them since the Jets gave the Colts their first loss of the year in Week 16.

Jets vs Colts betting – Sunday, January 24, 3:00 PM ET

Depending on who you talk to, the Jets beat San Diego 17-14 on the road, or the Chargers handed the game to New York. Either way, the Jets don’t care how it turned out, they’re in the AFC championship game by forcing a pair of turnovers, and running for 169 yards, led by Shonn Greene’s 123 yards, which included a gamebreaking 53-yarder in the fourth quarter. The Jets also needed Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding to miss three field goals, although there was a 57-yarder at the end of the half that he wasn’t expected to make. Mark Sanchez went 12-of-23 for 100 yards and a pick, but he did throw a touchdown early in the fourth to give the Jets a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Colts forced four Baltimore turnovers in a dominating 20-3 win at home, and the week off looked like it really helped members of the Indy front seven, like ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney, time to get healthy. They were all over the Ravens from the first whistle, and they shut down the Baltimore ground game, which put all the pressure on the Ravens’ sophomore pivot Joe Flacco, who was also hobbling with a hip injury. Peyton Manning was 30-of-44 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, and while he got no support from the running game, Super Bowl odds players shouldn’t be worried: the Colts haven’t had a ground attack all season.

US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews) have the Colts as a 7.5-point favorite in this contest, and they were probably secretly rooting for the Jets to beat San Diego, so they could avenge their 29-15 loss in Week 16, when the Colts took out their starters with a five-point lead in the third quarter, and the Jets came back to win. The Colts should do what they did last week, which is stack the line against the Jets’ duo of Greene and Thomas Jones, and put the pressure on Sanchez’s rookie shoulders. Manning has dealt with Rex Ryan’s defenses before, when Ryan was with Baltimore, and the Colts’ timing offense is good enough to avoid their blitz schemes. It’s payback time.

NFL betting line pick: Indianapolis -7.5

Schumacher not to show the new Mercedes

The new model presented by the GP Mercedes team for the new season of Formula 1 debut as the team's second driver, Germany's Nico Rosberg, and not his compatriot Michael Schumacher, informed team boss Ross Brawn.

"Nico will be responsible for giving the first laps on the new car. It was the plan that we have always materialize before the return of Michael, "said Brawn.

Mercedes Grand Prix team will present next week in Stuttgart, but the new model of competition will run for the first time for the public on 1. St February in Valencia, where trials are started every team official to face new season.

The tournament begins March 14 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Brawn admitted that Schumacher, the world seven times, will need "several races to be in place, but so is the favorite to win the championship, ahead of Jenson Button defending champion or former world champions Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

"If I had to bet on any of them, clearly opt for Michael," said Brawn, who worked with Schumi in the seven Serie A titles with Benetton and Ferrari teams.

NFL Betting – Jets in over their heads in San Diego

NFL betting players have watched coach Rex Ryan make some comments about his New York Jets, saying that they should be the favorites for the Super Bowl. That’s a lot of confidence to show in your team, and now they’ll have to prove it when they head to San Diego this Sunday.

Jets vs Chargers odds – Sunday, January 17, 4:40 PM ET

For the second week in a row, the Jets’ defense dominated in a 24-14 win over Cincinnati, holding the Bengals to 281 yards, including only 110 yards through the air. A lot of this had to do with the job Darrelle Revis did on Chad Ochocinco, limiting the receiver to two catches in two games. Ryan thought Revis was jobbed out of the Defensive Player of the Year award, which went to Green Bay’s Charles Woodson, but he should just be happy to have the premier cover corner in the game. Mark Sanchez was 12-of-15 for 182 yards and two touchdowns in his playoff debut.

The Chargers had a bye week for winning the AFC West, and there wasn’t a hotter team in the league as San Diego won their final 11 games of the season. Philip Rivers led a pass-happy offense, throwing to Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates, while LaDainian Tomlinson grinded out yards, but the big-play ability is gone. The defense would bend, but not break, usually coming up with big plays when they’re most needed.

Bookmakers odds have the Chargers as a seven-point favorite, and they’ve won their last two meetings with the Jets, who don’t back down from anyone. Sanchez will be back in southern California, where he grew up and went to school at USC. However, the Chargers will do their best to stack the line and stop the Jets’ running duo of Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. This will put pressure on Sanchez, who may try to do too much in his homestate. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Rivers will be able to deal with the Jets’ pressure, and look for Gates to be a big target as Revis will probably cancel out Jackson’s big-play ability. The Jets have a great foundation in Ryan, a rookie coach, Sanchez, a rookie pivot, and Revis, who is only in his third year, but it stops in San Diego.

Bet NFL football: Chargers -7

NFL Betting – Vikings Will Get Act Together For Cowboys

Everyone knows that the Minnesota Vikings had a late-season collapse, which doesn’t bode well for the playoffs. The good news for them is that they had a bye week to clear their minds.

NFL betting fans know that the Vikings lost three of their last five games after a 10-1 start but they ended the year with a big home win over the New York Giants and they had a bye week to heal up some injuries. Now that they have their focus back, they should be able to top the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings

Gambling Advisor blog Pick : Vikings -2.5

Last Week

The Vikings had an off week and gave a number of key players some time to rest while the Cowboys were busy.

The Cowboys had a big monkey on their back last week as they faced off with the Philadelphia Eagles. They hadn’t won a playoff game since 1996 and head coach Wade Phillips was basically coaching to keep his job. The Cowboys played extremely well and got a big, easy win.

Everything worked well for them as the Eagles turned it over regularly and overall, just collapsed. The story might be a little different this week as they head out on the road against a team that is rested and likely to be crisper.

This Week

The Cowboys Vikings odds have the Vikings as the home favorite and rightfully so. The Vikings were 8-0 at home this year and they played their best football there. Sure, many people point to the Vikings late season struggles but keep in mind that their losses against Arizona, Carolina and Chicago all came on the road. The Vikings are still perfect at home.

Dallas has been hot but this will be their toughest opponent in their recent stretch. Look for Adrian Peterson to get his wheels churning and for Brett Favre to look sharp after the bye.

For Dallas, their big win was last week and they are overly content with that. They celebrated like their first playoff win since 1996 was a Super Bowl win and their focus may not be as strong for this game as it was the last one. That could be a big difference.

Throw in a couple of Romo mistakes and the Vikings will win and cover.

NFL Picks: Vikings -2.5

NFL Betting – Packers To Roll Cardinals For A Second Straight Week

The Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals are matching up for a second week in a row but the NFL lines for this contest are a little different. Last week, the Packers were a three-point favorite as the Cardinals rested – or tried to rest – their starters. This week, the Cardinals opened as a three-point favorite but the line has shifted into the Packers favor as several Cardinals injuries have surfaced. Don’t expect to see a blowout once again but you can still expect a Packers win.

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

Gambling Advisor blog Pick : Packers -1

Last Week

Sports handicapping experts saw the Packers roll up the Cardinals 33-7 last week but the bigger loss for the Cardinals was not the game. Rather, it was the loss of a few key players who shouldn’t have been playing in the first case.

Receiver Anquan Boldin sprained his ankle and knee in Week 17 and is highly questionable for this week’s contest. While the Cardinals are 5-1 without Boldin in the last two years, they are still a much more lethal team with him in the lineup.

The Cardinals also lost cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a knee bruise in Week 17 and while he’s more likely to play, he will still be limited by the injury. That’s on top of Antrel Rolle, who is dealing with a thigh injury, being questionable and left tackle Mike Gandy being out.

This is a lot for any team to deal with and the real question that needs to be answered is why were key players in the game if the game plan was to rest the starters.

This Week

The Cardinals are in a tight spot but they are at home and they have the experience. Unfortunately, the Packers are playing lights out football right now and are healthier.

Beyond that, they also have the better defense as their third-ranked unit led the league in rush defense, interceptions and turnover margin. The Cardinals unit simply can’t compare in those aspects.

The Packers offense is going to be tough to contain for the Cardinals and while this won’t be a blowout again, it’s likely to produce the same result as the Packers have too many edges. Look for a close Packers win on the road.

NFL Picks: Packers -1

NFL Odds – Eagles, Cowboys Set For Round 3

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Loose Lines Odds (Loose Lines Reviews): Cowboys -4

NFL Betting Total: 45.5

The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Dallas Cowboys for a third time this season as the two teams get set for their first-round playoff matchup this Saturday.

The Eagles are 0-for-2 so far after losing 20-16 at home in Week 9 and lost on the road in Dallas 24-0 in Week 17.

The latter loss was a big one for the Eagles and they know it. The Eagles came into the week holding the No. 2 seed in the NFC after the Minnesota Vikings lost three of their previous four games. With a win, Philadelphia could have secured the No. 2 seed, home-field advantage in the playoffs against any opponent save for New Orleans, and a week off in the first round of the playoffs.

Instead, the Eagles lost to the Cowboys and not only lost their cushy spot in the NFC, they also lost their division title, which dropped them all the way to No. 6. Now the Eagles won’t play at home at all in the playoffs and will not have any time off.

The Eagles also have to go back on the road to Dallas for a second straight week to face a team that has pushed them around twice this year.

Philadelphia’s offensive line has been a mess all season long and the Cowboys have taken advantage. The latest loss for the Eagles was center Jamaal Jackson, who is out for the year, and that’s a problem. The Cowboys defensive line has stuffed the Eagles running game and generated eight sacks in two games. That’s not likely to change this weekend.

The Eagles have lived off the big-plays all year long as they lead the NFL in passing plays of 40 yards or longer, but the Cowboys have even found a way to snuff those out. In two games, sports handicapping experts haven’t seen DeSean Jackson make a noticeable impact.

The Eagles don’t really have any answers right now because the Cowboys are just a bad matchup for them. Unless Tony Romo, who has had a quarterback rating of 100 or better in five of his last six games, comes out and starts coughing up the football, the Cowboys are going to win for a third straight time over the Eagles.

NFL Picks: Cowboys -4

It was not enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers

At the edge of elimination from the NFL Playoff Schedule , the Pittsburgh Steelers avoided the collapse in the fourth quarter and extended their season.

All ended three hours later.

The still reigning Super Bowl Odds champions to the side sent two Miami quarterbacks, including Pat White with a worrying injury to the head, and beat the Dolphins 30-24 on Sunday. But Pittsburgh (9-7) ended up being eliminated when Baltimore tied the NFL Playoff Brackets when they win in Oakland 21-13.

"I'd rather stay out winning than losing," said Ben Roethlisberger, who threw three touchdown passes.

The Dolphins (7-9), who won the AFC East last season, were eliminated in the final 2 minutes when Houston beat New England. The Dolphins spent much of his season trying to recover from an 0-3 start, climbing above .500 for the first time being 7-6, then lost the last three games.

"I told the team that a 7-9 is mediocrity, and mediocrity are not going to accept this," said second-year coach Tony Sparano.

Pittsburgh ruined his season with the unfortunate falling Chiefs, Raiders and Browns in a span of 19 days where he recorded five defeats in a row.

"We did what we should do and take care of our own," said Santonio Holmes. "So we have to suffer the consequences of our actions."

Many fans of the Steelers stayed with them until the end. Many dressed in black and gold remained in the stadium, and the visiting team gave them much to cheer.

LaMarr Woodley led the defensive shots with two sacks, two kills and three-time rushing quarterbacks the Dolphins. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 94 yards and Willie Parker added 91.

But the crowd was silenced when White was taken off the field with a head injury caused in a crash helmet to helmet with cornerback Ike Taylor. White moved his arms and legs before being evacuated from the area in a delay of eight minutes and was taken to hospital for examination.

"I said, I hope you feel better kid," said Taylor, who was unhurt. "You never want to see someone fall like that. He kept repeating Thanks. and I just told him to expect improvement. "

Tyler Thigpen made his first appearance with the Dolphins.

Sports Odds : They were down 27-10, when Thigpen led two sets to a pair of touchdowns.

With 6 minutes remaining and the score 27-24, Joey Porter recovered a fumble on one sack Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh 13 yard line that gave Miami a chance to take the lead. But Thigpen was intercepted by Ryan Clark in the yard 2.

Roethlisberger drove 83 yards in 14 plays to Pittsburgh for Jeff Reed put the score 30-24 with 40 seconds remaining. Taylor intercepted Thigpen on the next play from Miami to seal the result.

Tiger Woods wife earns $ 300 million Divorce

Tiger Woods wife earned $ 300 million from her husband, which wants a divorce after he had numerous extramarital affairs, published by News of the world.

According to the newspaper, Swedish model Elin Nordegren told friends that he was asked what Woods had given him for Christmas: "Three hundred million dollars, thank you very much," he said.

Besides money, the grieving wife of 30 years, banned the golfer to see their two sons on the 25th December and they forced him and his paternal grandmother to mail their gifts, the newspaper said.

College Football Bowl Betting – Liberty Bowl Odds

The Arkansas Razorbacks could be the cat’s meow heading into next season, but that’s assuming a couple of things fall into place.

Head coach Bobby Petrino has done an excellent job of turning around this SEC program and if stud quarterback Ryan Mallett returns and the Hogs can with their bowl game, sports wagering experts will have to give this team a lot of respect heading into next season.

East Carolina has been excellent under head coach Skip Holtz and after leading the team to their second consecutive Conference USA title, they hope he sticks around.

This should be an interesting contrast of offense versus defense.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs East Carolina Pirates

Sportsbook.com Odds (Sportsbook.com Review): Arkansas -7.5

2009 Recap: Arkansas

The Razorbacks had a slow start to the season but as the mantra goes, it’s not how you start, its how you finish. On the strength of the highest scoring offense in the SEC – yes, higher than Florida – and a 4-1 finish, the Razorbacks are one of the hotter teams heading into the bowl season.

With Mallett leading the offense, the Hogs have a very potent attack. The defense is still a work in progress but teams that were not able to slow down Mallett this year usually ended up on the losing end.

2009 Recap: East Carolina

East Carolina didn’t have the season it had in 2008, but it was still good enough for a second straight Conference USA title. There were no stunners against West Virginia or Virginia Tech this year but it was still a solid year.

They had a disappointing loss to SMU early in the year but swept the conference schedule after that. Then they topped Houston in the title game, which landed them in the Liberty Bowl for a second straight year.

Matchup

Internet sports betting cappers will see East Carolina play an SEC team for a second year in a row but it’s hard to imagine the results being any different.

East Carolina blew a big lead against Kentucky in the Liberty Bowl last year and this year they are playing a better team from the SEC. Arkansas is hot right now and while East Carolina has a decent defense, they haven’t beaten anyone elite this year (Houston doesn’t count).

Arkansas needs this win to spring board for next year and they’ll get it in emphatic fashion.

Sports Handicapping Pick: Arkansas -7.5