CFB: Florida to treat bettors?
One of the biggest games Saturday is also the biggest party; the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party” between Florida and rival Georgia.
The Florida Gators are a two-touchdown favorite, but that could be a steep price to pay for a game of this magnitude.
Though this year’s contest won’t carry the same panache as the last couple, it is no less important to its participants. Florida (7-0. 3-3 ATS) is ranked first in the BCS but doesn’t have the same offensive power of a year ago.
Even after supplying misfortune on Mississippi State 29-19, coach Urban Meyer is far from pleased.
“We kind of operate around here on urgency. That’s not something we’re ashamed of,” Meyer said. “We’re not playing perfect, and there are times we’re not playing very good at all
“We’re not on the same planet statistically as last year. I’m not happy where we are at right now.”
Fortunately, Meyer and Florida can fall back on a superb defensive unit that leads the SEC in about every statistic and is the best nationally in total defense. Under coach Meyer, the Gators are 12-1 (7-5-1 ATS) against their so-called Big Three opponents, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State. Florida is 9-1 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last two seasons.
Two years ago, Georgia coach Mark Richt used a little chicanery to fire up his Georgia (4-3, 2-5 ATS) squad and it worked with 42-30 upset as touchdown underdogs. He might need something even crazier, since nobody will compare this Bulldogs team talent-wise to that club.
After falling to LSU and Tennessee, coach Richt went back to basics and it paid off against Vanderbilt with a 34-10 road win. The Bulldogs were crisper offensively than they had been since the Arkansas contest. The offensive line fired off the ball and coordinator Mike Bobo left the press box to be more involved with QB Joe Cox. Georgia is 10-5-1 ATS in neutral site contests against ranked teams the last decade and 17-6 ATS away from home after a bye week.
Florida is 16-3 and 12-6-1 ATS the last 19 years in this matchup, with the favorite 2-5-1 against the number. The SU winner is 23-3-1 ATS since 1982 in this rivalry.
The StatFox Power Line says Florida by 19, perhaps suggesting that there is room to spare for those backing the favorite at Sportsbook.com
CFB: Oregon can end USC streak
The USC Trojans’ chance for an eighth consecutive Pac-10 title could end Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.
The Trojans face the undesirable task of entering Autzen Stadium and beating an Oregon Ducks team that thrives at its homes stadium.
Oregon, a perfect 4-0 in Pac-10 play, can likely end USC’s reign atop the Pac-10 with a win Saturday night. That makes this one of the more intriguing games of the season as the Trojans, 3-1 in conference play, can’t afford another loss.
Oregon is the hot team but has been like the little brother to the bully Trojans. Is this the year the tide turns and the Ducks waddle off the field as winners? Or is Sportsbook.com and 64% of its bettors correct in seeing USC as the worthy three-point road favorite?
The Oregon Ducks (6-1, 5-2 ATS) have a rare opportunity in the Pac-10 since Pete Carroll took over as the USC head coach. With a win, Oregon controls its destiny. Besides the fact of being at home, the Ducks defense has been something to quack about.
After a lumbering start (27.3PPG in first three contests), coach Chip Kelly’s defense has permitted just 38 points in their last four outings and is second in the Pac-10 in points allowed (16.7) and 19th in the country in yards allowed (297.1).
In order to beat USC, the defense has to limit big plays and make the Trojans score field goals. Creating seams for freshman RB LaMichael James is imperative, since that opens up passing lanes for QB Jeremiah Masoli. The Ducks signal caller has to play under control and contain his emotions. His accuracy as a passer will be every bit as important as what he does with his legs. Oregon is 23-10 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging eight or more passing yards per attempt.
The Trojans (6-1, 2-5 ATS) took care of one Oregon State last week 42-36 and goes for the sweep in Eugene. It is starting to look like the movie “Groundhog” with USC gathering steam as November approaches. The defense is one of the finest in the country, though shaky against the pass the last two weeks in allowing 614 yards.
USC coaches are opening the playbook more each week as quarterback Matt Barkley’s confidence soars. Look for USC to pressure Oregon with its relentless pass rushers and All-American safety Taylor Mays to take away Masoli’s favorite target TE Ed Dickson. USC is 9-4 ATS in the first of two road games.
This is Oregon’s time and they know it, but how will they perform against a USC team built for these moments? Oregon is 5-10 ATS vs. USC in last 15 meetings, with the favorite having covered seven of last eight. The road team is 8-4 ATS since 1993.
The StatFox Power Line shows Oregon by 2, meaning bettors at Sportsbook.com who had the courage to bet on an upset could be in line for a nice Halloween treat.
