08/27/2008 - Pasadena, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An intriguing season-opening matchup pits the 18th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC against the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-10.
The fact that 15 starters from the offensive and defensive units from the 2007 Tennessee team are back has to be viewed as an obvious positive. While the team fell short of its goal of winning the SEC title, a victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl enabled the Vols to carry some momentum into the offseason. Coach Phil Fulmer has plenty of talent in place to compete with the best squads the SEC has to offer.
As for UCLA, it opened the 2007 campaign ranked 14th in the nation, and after victories over Stanford (45-17) and BYU (27-17), the Bruins moved up to 11th. Unfortunately, they seemed to fall apart from that point, and a disappointing 6-6 season was the result. UCLA, under the direction of the new head coach Rick Neuheisel, enters this opener with a huge list of injured players, and Tennessee is not the type of team that anyone wants to play with a depleted roster.
The Vols own a 7-4-2 advantage in the all-time series with the Bruins, and Fulmer is 3-1 against UCLA.
The Jonathan Crompton era begins for Tennessee on Monday, as the junior quarterback takes over the reins of the offense from Erik Ainge. Crompton has the size and arm strength to be extremely successful. He also has some big- time talent at the wide receiver position as is usually the case for Tennessee. Lucas Taylor is a star, as he made 73 catches for 1,000 yards and five touchdowns last season. Austin Rogers is another outstanding talent who appears poised to have a breakout junior campaign. The passing game simply has to be solid, considering that the offensive line welcomes back all five starters to complement tailback Arian Foster.
Last season, Foster racked up 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns on 245 carries, and he has a chance to finish as the top rusher in the history of the program. "I think Arian has stayed under the radar, has been under appreciated a bit," says coach Fulmer. "My hope is he stays healthy and takes his game to the next level and becomes the all time leading rusher in Tennessee history. When you think of all the backs that have been through there, that's quite impressive." The Vols averaged 32.5 ppg and 401.5 total ypg last season, and while those numbers are certainly solid, there is potential to be even better in 2008.
Seven starters are back in place from a defensive unit that struggled a bit in 2007. The Vols finished 61st nationally in scoring defense and 70th in total defense. Sure, the club did face one of the nation's toughest schedules, but coach Fulmer is certainly not happy with the results. Up front, Demonte' Bolden is a stud at the tackle position. The NFL scouts are well aware of the 6-6 standout, and he is poised for a big senior campaign. Robert Ayers is a solid pass rusher who will likely improve on his rather low total of four sacks from 2007. According to Ayers, "We have very good, level players. Our chemistry is strong. We just need to keep building and hopefully that will lead to a championship."
The linebacking corps is small but extremely athletic, and Rico McCoy is the best of the bunch. At just 215 pounds, McCoy made 106 tackles a year ago and always finds his way to the football. In the defensive backfield, Eric Berry was outstanding as a freshman. He registered five interceptions and made 86 tackles from his safety position. Demetrice Morley will man the other safety spot.
The Bruins were extremely inconsistent on the offensive side of the football last season, and with only four starters back for the 2008 campaign, it is likely the team could continue to struggle. The main issue is at quarterback, as the team thought Ben Olson and Pat Cowan would battle for the starting spot, but before the season could even start both players went down with injuries, and now junior Kevin Craft could be the signal-caller for the opener. "It was a strange day that 14th practice," new head coach Rick Neuheisel stated. Not only were Olson and Cowan both lost that day, but they were lost on consecutive plays.
Olson will be out of action for two months. Craft figures to rely heavily on Dominique Johnson in this opener, as he hauled in 25 passes and four scores in his first season. Johnson is a speedy receiver and along with Marcus Everett, the two should prove to be valuable throughout the season. Last year UCLA's rushing attack was decimated by injuries and production could be tough to come by in 2008 with no true starter in the backfield and a revamped offensive line. We will see if any runner is able to step to the forefront against Tennessee's tough defensive line.
UCLA relied heavily on the performance of its defense last year, but with only five starters back for the '08 season, it is unlikely that the unit will be as productive. The front line should be the heart and soul of this unit and will definitely get a boost with the return of Brigham Harwell, who missed last year due to injury. "Being out last year was really tough for me." Harwell stated, "Being at home watching the games on TV, I had some tough Saturdays. I'm looking forward to having a great season." Harwell will have a chance to team up with senior defensive end Tom Blake, and hopefully for coach Neuheisel the two will cause plenty of problems for the Vols.
Kyle Bosworth (74 tackles in 2007) and Reggie Carter (62 tackles, 10 TFLs) both return to their linebacking positions and will look to improve on their numbers from '07. The secondary is the biggest concern for UCLA, as the team returns only cornerback Alterraun Verner, who had a strong sophomore campaign, posting 75 tackles and four INTs.
<< Longhorns host Owls in 2008 season opener
Austin, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns are set to begin
the 2008 season with a non-conference clash against the Florida Atlantic Owls.
The 2007 campaign was a historic one for Florida Atlantic, as the Owls won a
share
<< Sun Devils set to chop down Lumberjacks in Tempe
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Instate foes meet up in Tempe this weekend, as
the heavily favored Arizona State Sun Devils kick off their 2008 campaign by
hosting the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
In his first season at ASU, legendary head coa
<< 12th-ranked Red Raiders welcome Eagles to Lubbock
Lubbock, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A couple of teams expected to compete for a
national championship at each of their respective levels duel in Lubbock this
weekend, as the Eastern Washington Eagles clash with the 12th-ranked Texas
Tech Red Raiders
<< Cougars try to extend win streak in season opener vs. Panthers
Provo, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Owners of the nation's longest winning streak
heading into the 2008 season, the 16th-ranked BYU Cougars take aim at the
Northern Iowa Panthers in a non-conference bout at LaVell Edwards Stadium in
Provo.
The Cou
West Virginia begins new era with bout against Villanova >>
Morgantown, WV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The eighth-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers
begin the Bill Stewart era as they host the Villanova Wildcats in what appears
to be a lopsided season-opening tilt.
Villanova, which competes at the FCS level, r
Kansas hosts Florida International in season opener >>
Lawrence, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks open their
119th season of college football this weekend, as they entertain the Florida
International Panthers in a non-conference showdown in Lawrence.
The 2007 season was a hi
Top-ranked Georgia hosts intrastate foe Georgia Southern >>
Athens, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs put their lofty
ranking on the line this weekend at home, as they open their 2008 schedule
against instate foe Georgia Southern.
There is plenty of excitement and anticipation in
Fifth-ranked Gators open 2008 slate against Warriors >>
Gainesville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Florida Gators open up
their 2008 schedule this weekend, as they welcome the Hawaii Warriors to the
mainland for a gridiron clash in Gainesville.
Urban Meyer has another loaded team followi
LaDainian Tomlinson Favorite to be 2007 NFL MVP
With the first NFL preseason game less than two weeks away, it is time to start thinking about football once again at MySportsbook.com. Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is currently the 5-1 co-favorite to win the award again alongside Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone after his all out assault on the record books last season. For those suffering from amnesia or were under a rock last football season, all L.T. did last season was set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (31) and total points scored (186) to go along with his 1815 rushing yards and 508 receiving yards. At 6-1, Tom Brady is next in line which isn’t surprising considering all of the firepower the Pats added over the off-season. With the addition of Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker; it would be quite difficult for Brady’s numbers not to improve from last years 3529 yards and 24 touchdowns. There appears to be some decent value in Drew Bees at 10-1 considering he probably would have won the award last year if it wasn’t for L.T.’s record breaking season.
There is no reason to think the Saints will come back to earth this season and playing in a weak NFC, they should have as good a shot as any to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. At 15-1, Donovan McNabb could also be worth a look. Remember, many felt he was the MVP of the first half of the season before going down with a season ending injury. Reportedly, he is in great shape and well ahead of schedule to return to form. Also, he could have some added motivation to put up big numbers this season with the Eagles using their first pick in the draft on McNabb’s future successor Kevin Kolb.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to check out the complete odds for NFL MVP as well as all of the new football related futures. With the popularity of NFL futures, these betting lines will be sure to change as the money comes in; get the early sports lines now.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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