Profile | Entries | Thread Author | Posts | Activity |
---|---|---|---|---|
The 2011 PGA Tour season tees off on Thursday last afternoon from the Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort in Kapalua, Hawaii for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. It is called the Tournament of Champions because it is an invite for 2010 PGA Tour winners only and even the $1.12 million winner’s check is not strong enough to lure everyone to paradise. Only 34 players are in the field this week with notable names Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy not part of it. The new season is an early start right after the holidays so a lot of players extend their offseason instead of coming right out of the gates. Only one of the four Majors winners are teeing up this week as U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell is here. As for other European players who are not full time PGA Tour members, a lot of them prefer to play elsewhere and not use their limited visits here. Nonetheless, it is a strong field with a lot of big names for the 2011 opener. The Plantation Course will play as a par-73, 7,411-yard test that uses elevation changes, doglegs and the ever-present winds. It is a very difficult test for the season’s first event because it is safe to say that most players are not at their best right now with a lot of rust needing to be shed. We have no current performances to go from so playing the hot players is not an option. Past performances on this course is the best bet if basing plays on any sort of successful history. Two-time defending champion Geoff Ogilvy (+800) is in the field but will be a last minute scratch. He withdrew from Wednesday’s pro-am after he hurt his right index finger that required 12 stitches. He will hit his opening tee shot and then withdraw in order to collect $70,000. Recommended Tournament Win Three Pack at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions (all for one unit)
Ernie Els (+1000) had a solid 2010 season and he is coming off a recent victory at the South African Open the week before Christmas, his fifth victory in that event. He won the Tournament of Champions in 2003 and he has placed in the top six five times. We can expect a big year out of Adam Scott (+1000). He finally turned his game around last season and he is a recent winner at the European Tour’s Barclays Singapore Open in November. He has played here four times and finished in the top ten three times. As for the longshot, we go with Charlie Hoffman (+4000). He has had a relatively long layoff it is unlikely any player will be at the top of his game. Hoffman finished T20 here in 2008, his only appearance at the Plantation Course so he has some positive experience.
Matt Fargo is a professional handicapper for Covers Experts where we win only if you win. |
MattFargoCE | 7 |
|
|
With only a few weeks left in the college football regular season, some teams are on the bowl game bubble needing to win one or more of their remaining games to become bowl eligible. This can provide us with some added motivation for these teams and in the right spots, we can cash some tickets. A quick look at some teams for this week that can become bowl eligible with a win: Syracuse Orange (3-2, 6-3) Syracuse has the necessary six wins for bowl eligibility but two of those came against FCS competition and teams are allowed to use only one win against the lower division. The Orange have three chances starting this week at Rutgers where they are a road favorite. This is the first time they have been a road chalk against a BCS team since 2003 when they were favored by six points at, you guessed it, Rutgers. They lost 24-7. Iowa St. Cyclones (3-3, 5-3) Not many expected Iowa St. to make it to a bowl game last season after a 2-10 season in 2008 but the Cyclones did just that and won over Minnesota. They have a chance for back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2004-2005 as they play at Colorado as a road chalk before finishing at home against Missouri next week. The home team has won six straight in this series and with Dan Hawkins gone, what Buffaloes team shows up? Houston Cougars (4-2, 5-4) Once Case Keenum went down, the Cougars season was thought to be cooked but Houston rallied, went on to win two straight road games before falling at home last Friday against UCF. They control their own destiny as a win this week against Tulsa could get them into the C-USA Championship. With two tough road games remaining, this one is a must but the defense has to show up to win and cover the -2.5point number. Kentucky Wildcats (1-5, 5-5) Despite a 1-5 SEC record, the Wildcats can lock down their fifth straight bowl game with a win at home against Vanderbilt, also 1-5 in the conference. Three of Kentucky’s SEC losses have been by a touchdown or less. The Commodores have been outgained by an average of 353.5 ypg over their last four games while scoring just 35 points. Kentucky is at Tennessee in two weeks so this is a near must win but can it cover the 15 points? Matt Fargo is a professional handicapper for Covers Experts where we win only if you win. |
MattFargoCE | 1 |
|
|
Well, we are just about halfway through the NFL season and it is anyone’s guess who will be Super Bowl bound and even playoff bound for that matter. When you think the league can’t have any more parity, what happens? We get more parity. It is a great thing for the NFL and its fans. Unlike baseball where basically the same teams compete for the playoffs every year, we have new teams on an annual basis making a run. A lockout is looming for next season and it will be devastating for fans (and us handicappers) and we can only hope it gets ironed out. Here are some of the bigger 2010 NFL surprises: 1. Dallas Cowboys This team has (had) arguably the most talent and here they are sitting at 1-6 (1-6 ATS). The most amazing thing is that the Cowboys have been outgained only once and that was the game Tony Romo went down. His absence was devastating for a bounceback bid and this team is officially done. How do we go about handicapping this team going forward? Very carefully. It was pretty obvious that they threw in the towel against Jacksonville despite being a touchdown favorite. The linesmakers have finally caught up and the Cowboys now have a line swing of over two touchdowns going into this week. This is actually the first time this season we may have line value on Dallas but it may not matter. Which Dallas team shows up? 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Not many people outside of the Florida Gulf would have tabbed the Buccaneers to be in first place at this point of the season. Kudos to head coach Raheem Morris and what he has done to Tampa Bay following a 3-13 season last year. But is Tampa Bay really as good as its record indicates? The Buccaneers five wins have come against teams a combined 12-24 with the Rams being the best of the bunch. The Rams? They lost to Pittsburgh and New Orleans by a combined score of 69-19 and on the season they have been outgained by four of seven opponents. In the three games they have won the yardage battle, it has been by a combined 72 yards. This week in Atlanta should confirm: contender or pretender. 3. All 32 head coaches still have jobs There are a handful of teams that we can feasibly say are out of the playoff picture based on records and upcoming schedule. Carolina has gone from playoff contender, to middle of the pack spoiler, to bottom of the barrel in three short years. John Fox should feel pretty fortunate he has not been shown the door yet. Fade this team going forward. Going back to Dallas, how does Wade Phillips still have a job? He must have something on Jerry Jones or maybe he and Jones may be coming out of the closet soon. This guy is laughable. He has lost his players this year and in his four years in Dallas, he has produced the biggest underachieving team in football. As a longtime Cowboys hater, even I feel bad for this sorry bunch of sadsacks. Maybe next year, well, probably not. Matt Fargo is a professional handicapper for Covers Experts where we win only if you win. |
MattFargoCE | 2 |
|
|
It is hard to believe but the college football season is upon us! While it signals a near end to summer, it also signals the start of the best time of year in sports in my opinion. Some will argue March Madness and futball people will argue the World Cup but football is where it is. Handicapping the early part of college football can be a challenge as there is not a whole lot to go by. Unlike the NFL, past history (even back to last season) needs to be looked at cautiously because of the turnover that college programs go through. How do we tackle these early season games? There are a number of factors we need to take into account and use to our advantage. Experience This is one of the bigger aspects of early betting. As mentioned, turnover is big in this game so teams coming back with a lot of returning players usually have a big edge against teams with little experience returning. This is especially important across the offensive and defensive lines. Depth Fall camps are long and tiresome for teams and players and a lot of them may still not be in 100 percent playing shape. While returning starters is what most look at, take a look at returning lettermen as well as depth plays a huge role in these early season games. A lot of depth means fresher bodies throughout a game. Injuries When looking at preseason depth charts, you have to be on top of injuries and suspensions as these can change the whole makeup of a team. Most are aware of the big-name players that may be out but it the lesser known names that can make a big difference as well. Spread Limit With early non-conference games, we see some big numbers. Set yourself a spread limit. A team that is favored by 30 points is favored by that many for a reason while teams getting 30 points are bad enough that they shouldn’t be touched. Make a number limit and stick to it. Go Contrarian While we do not have a lot of early info on teams, neither do the linesmakers. They have to rely on past information and results in making early lines and they can be way off. If a number looks shady, it probably is and that is where we look the other way. There is nothing wrong with going against the consensus. Preseason Polls These polls come out well in advance of the season and things can change dramatically from when they were released. Don’t even bother looking at rankings. It is more made for TV rankings and for discussions on ESPN than helping anyone in handicapping. This is just a small sample of what we need to look at early in the season. What other factors do you look at? Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 1 |
|
|
Last week I took a look at some NCAA season win totals that looked like good ‘Over’ bets. This week I will look in the other direction with the NCAA Unders. The totals I am posting are from one sportsbook and could very well not be the same number you get at another sportsbook. The key is to shop around and remember that the best over/under numbers do not necessarily mean they are the best bets as juice can play a significant role in the future betting as well. Under 9 Oregon Ducks +125 (BEST BET) The Ducks have put together back-to-back 10-3 seasons so expectations are once again high with 17 starters returning. Oregon is the popular pick to win the Pac Ten title for a second straight season and it has been put into some preseason polls as a top 10 team. The talent is there for it to happen but there are some questions, some big questions, that could prevent a repeat. Head coach Chip Kelly started right where former coach Mike Bellotti left off and he did so with only 10 starters returning last year. He had the benefit of a strong offensive attack led by potential Heisman candidate quarterback Jeremiah Masoli but an opening loss at Boise St., which was marred by the after-game altercation, looked to derail the Ducks. Instead, they came together to win their next seven games and eventually made it to the Rose Bowl. This year, they must replace Masoli who was kicked off the team and transferred to Mississippi and this is the biggest concern. Oregon’s passing attack was below average to begin with and it will be up to injury plagued Nate Costa to turn it around. He has the entire offensive line back as well as stud LaMichael James at running back but the passing game will have to pick things up as defenses will focus on the run. The defense brings back eight starters but that defense was average as it finished 51st in the nation in scoring, yielding 23.8 ppg. The linebacking corps is loaded and the unit will depend on its speed as it is very small up front. The secondary returns all four players so the defense should be better but the Pac Ten is loaded with offense. A huge concern is at kicker with walk-on Rob Beard and specialists can make or break close games. While Oregon has improved, the conference as a whole has done the same. The Ducks get only four conference home games and all six road games are far from easy. The first true test is in the second game against Tennessee and while the Volunteers are a middle of the pack SEC team, it is difficult. The final four games are all against likely bowl teams. Predicted Finish: 8-4 Other Unders to look at: Under 5.5 UCLA Bruins Even The offense has the potential to be strong but it is a new system and that is always a wild card. A 0-3 non-conference record is likely. Predicted Finish: 4-8 Under 7.5 LSU Tigers +140 Playing in the SEC is never easy and with LSU playing in the loaded SEC West, it is even tougher. The Tigers also catch Florida on the road. Predicted Finish: 7-5 What other NCAA win totals look good to go under? Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 1 |
|
|
Last week I took a look at some NFL season win totals that looked like good ‘Over’ bets. This week I will look at the college ranks, starting with the NCAA Overs. The totals I am posting are from one sportsbook and could very well not be the same number you get at another sportsbook. The key is to shop around and remember that the best over/under numbers do not necessarily mean they are the best bets as juice can play a significant role in the future betting as well. Over 8 North Carolina Tar Heels -115 (BEST BET) North Carolina is coming off its second straight eight-win season and back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1997-98. This year’s version could be one of the most talented Tar Heels teams in recent memory but winning the ACC is still going to be a challenge. First off, the offense needs to improve as it went the wrong way last season and second, playing in the ACC Coastal Division is no cakewalk. Head coach Butch Davis is entering his fourth season as the North Carolina head coach and he has done a great job in turning the program around. Two straight bowl games are huge but walking away with two losses, by a combined three points, stings. The goals are higher this season and rightfully so as the Tar Heels lost their last three games last season by a combined six points and have a favorable schedule this year. North Carolina ranked first in the ACC and sixth nationally in total defense, allowing 269.6 ypg, and ranked second in the conference in scoring defense at just 17.1 ppg. The good news is that nine starters are back on the unit, including as many as five potential NFL first round picks. The bad news is that one of those, tackle Marvin Austin, in under investigation for dealing with an agent. Reports are he will get just a one-game suspension. The Tar Heels offense is another story. They finished 108th in the nation in total offense and 83rd in scoring offense so those rankings have to improve obviously. North Carolina does bring back 10 starters and the weaknesses that plagued it last season should be a strength this year. Quarterback T.J. Yates, a fifth-year senior, is healthy and finally has experience around him at all positions. It is up to him however as to how effective he will be. The schedule is far from easy but it is more favorable than most. In the Coastal Division, the Tar Heels get other top contenders Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech at home while getting beatable bottom feeders Virginia and Duke on the road. The first game of the year is at the Georgia Dome against LSU and that test can set the tone for the season. A win there and the ‘Over’ is looking great. Predicted Finish: 10-2 Other Overs to look at: Over 9 Iowa Hawkeyes +110 Quarterback Ricky Stanzi needs to cut down on his mistakes but a favorable schedule, getting every top Big Ten team at home, is a huge bonus. Predicted Finish: 11-1 Over 6 Washington Huskies -140 The juice is not favorable but the win total is. The Huskies are confident again and are talking Pac Ten title. The defense needs to step up. Predicted Finish: 7-5 What other NCAA win totals look good to go over? Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 6 |
|
|
Last week I took a look at some season win totals, starting with the NFL Unders. This week I will look at some other season win totals, this time with the NFL Overs. The totals I am posting are from one sportsbook and could very well not be the same number you get at another sportsbook. The key is to shop around and remember that the best over/under numbers do not necessarily mean they are the best bets as juice can play a significant role in the future betting as well. Over 9.5 Atlanta Falcons -110 (BEST BET) I had the Falcons as one of my sleeper Super Bowl future bets so to no surprise I have them going ‘Over’ their win total. Three key factors play into this. First, Atlanta was hit hard by the injury bug a season ago so a big bounceback can be expected. Second, the division the Falcons play in is one of the weaker ones in the league. Lastly, the schedule could not be more favorable. Head coach Mike Smith has done a phenomenal job of turning this team around following the Bobby Petrino debacle that saw the Falcons go 4-12 in 2007. Atlanta missed the playoffs last season with a 9-7 record which came after an 11-5 campaign and postseason appearance in 2008 so the motivation factor alone is worthy of an uphill climb. Atlanta has not won a playoff game since 2004 but this should be the year. Offensively, Atlanta has one of the best young quarterbacks in the game in Matt Ryan. He posted an 87.7 quarterback rating in his rookie season but dropped that to 80.9 in an injury-marred 2008 season. Also on the shelf last year was running back Michael Turner, who missed five games and accumulated just over half of his 1,699 yards from 2008. If those two stay healthy, the offense will be a potent one. Defensively, the Falcons need to continue to stuff the run as they had their best season since 2006 in that category, allowing 107 ypg on 4.0 ypc. The problem was that they finished 28th in passing defense and tied for 26th in sacks with a mere 28. John Abraham had 16.5 sacks in 2008 but dipped to just 5.5 last season so Atlanta needs him to get back to his old form. The addition of great cover-cornerback Dunta Robinson is big as well. Looking at the NFC South and right off you see the defending Super Bowl champion Saints. At the same time, Carolina and Tampa Bay are included so the division looks to be a two-horse race this season. The Falcons have gained one of the best home field advantages in football as they have gone 13-3 at the Georgia Dome over the last two seasons. They now need to improve on the road. The schedule this season should allow the Falcons to do just that. They open at Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh and in addition to division road games at Tampa Bay and Carolina, they catch Cleveland, St. Louis and Seattle on the road, all of which are very winnable. Non-division tests at home include San Francisco, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Green Bay but all-in-all, Atlanta has one of the more favorable schedules in the NFL. Predicted Finish: 11-5 Other Overs to look at: Over 10 Green Bay Packers +110 This will be a popular pick. A quick start by the Packers is important as the schedule sets up for a possible 6-0 start before facing Minnesota. Predicted Finish: 11-5 Over 9 San Francisco 49ers Even The 49ers have improved their win total each of the last three years and making it four straight is not out of the question when playing in the weakest division in the NFL. Predicted Finish: 10-6 What other NFL Futures look good to go over? Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 3 |
|
|
Last week I took a look a couple sleeper teams in the NFL to win the Super Bowl. This week I will begin to look at some season win totals, starting with the NFL Unders. The totals I am posting are from one sportsbook and could very well not be the same number you get at another sportsbook. The key is to shop around and remember that the best over/under numbers do not necessarily mean they are the best bets as juice can play a significant role in the future betting as well. Under 9.5 New England Patriots +110 (BEST BET) The once powerful Patriots dynasty has taken a step back ever since that last second Super Bowl loss against the Giants three years ago. New England failed to make the playoffs at 11-5 in 2008 and last season, it got back into the postseason with a 10-6 record only to get hammered in the Wild Card round at home against Baltimore. This season, New England enters camp without an offensive or defensive coordinator in place which is almost unheard of nowadays in the NFL. Dean Pees, the defensive coordinator the last six years was let go while Bill O’Brien, who is the quarterbacks coach, is the closest thing to a coordinator in that side of the ball. While the Patriots still have Tom Brady at quarterback, they are not getting any younger. Both Randy Moss and Wes Welker have lost a step at receiver while the running back situation is relatively the same with Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor all 33 and above. The offensive line is solid but is aging as well. Defensively, New England is not even close to the same roster that went to the Super Bowl. The pieces are there for the unit to be strong but there are missing pieces that can bring it down as well. The Patriots were fifth in the league in points allowed last year but that did not tell the full story. They need to shore up the run defense in a hurry. New England has not won fewer than 10 games since 2002 so going under this number may seem illogical. However, the AFC East is as strong as ever and the schedule is daunting. The Jets and Dolphins are both divisional title candidates and while the Bills will be down once again, travelling to Orchard Park in late December means anything can happen. As for the rest of the schedule, it is far from easy. The Patriots travel to San Diego, Pittsburgh (after the Big Ben return) and Chicago while home games include visits from Cincinnati, Baltimore, Minnesota, Indianapolis and Green Bay. Those are eight games that can go either way so a 3-5 record in those means even going 4-2 in the division (which is a stretch) and 2-0 against Cleveland and Detroit, nine wins is the max. Predicted Finish: 9-7 Other Unders to look at: Under 7.5 Denver Broncos -130 I’m guessing we see the 2-8 Broncos that came down the stretcher rather than the one that started the season 6-0. Predicted Finish: 6-10 Under 5 Detroit Lions +110 I think Detroit will be improved but improving from two wins over the last two years is not hard to do. Predicted Finish: 4-12 What other NFL Futures look good to stay under? Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 6 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by BBallday10:
Wrote this in my preview but not sure why all the love for Canes... D gave up: 34 to FSU, 31 to VT, 40 to Clemson and 33 to UNC. Tough Schedule: @OSU, @Pitt, @Clemson, FSU all in their first five games Best W LY outside of GT (home Thurs ESPN game) was 7-6 FSU or injury plagued Oklahoma Maybe I'm missing something... You make excellent points. The defense was greatly improved from the first half of the season where three of those point totals you mentioned were given up. The unit returns 10 and that is huge. With the new offense, if it works out of the gate, it could be one of the best around. Wins last year mean nothing for this year as everyone is a year older and a year more experienced. I mentioned the schedule is brutal to open but if they can get those games, the last 3/4 of the schedule is very manageable. |
MattFargoCE | 35 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by Eddy_Winslow:
Nice job Matt. We miss you guys on "covers experts" on hardcore radio. Dude I miss the radio shows as well....hopefully we can get something up and running again before football gets into full swing. |
MattFargoCE | 35 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by DoubleUp4Life:
I meant the Odds 12-1.... Right now I think Nebraska is the most overrated team in the country Sorry, just being able to get back to the boards now. I think there is a lot of love on Nebraska and that is obviously something none of us like. However I can't look past that schedule which looks easier and easier every time I look at it. Not sure if I call them overrated just yet but at 12-1 (sportsbook.com as of last week), there is a lot of value and that is what constitutes a sleeper in my opinion. |
MattFargoCE | 35 |
|
|
Last week we looked at some college football sleepers that were worth a shot with future prices. With NFL training camps opening, we will turn our attention to the pros and take a look at a couple teams that may surprise this season and make a Super Bowl run. Atlanta Falcons (+2000) The Falcons went 11-5 in 2008 and made it to the playoffs before losing to eventual NFC Champion Arizona. Last year it was another winning season at 9-7 but it wasn’t enough to make it back to the postseason. I see a big bounceback in 2010 as injuries played a big role in the step back from the prior season. Quarterback Matt Ryan missed two games while running back Michael Turner missed five games and those two components are huge for the offense to succeed. Defensively, the Falcons need to continue to stuff the run as they had their best season since 2006 in that category, allowing 107 ypg on 4.0 ypc. An improvement would is out of the question. Atlanta needs to get past defending Super Bowl Champions New Orleans obviously to make any move. The rest of the division is soft and the remainder of the schedule is in their favor. The Falcons open at Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh and they also catch Cleveland, St. Louis and Seattle on the road, all of which are very winnable. Cincinnati Bengals (+5000) Cincinnati went three straight seasons without a playoff berth until it broke through last season before being shown an early exit. The Bengals were a team that won when they weren’t supposed to and lost when they weren’t supposed to so finding their identity will be the first test. Defensively, the Bengals were one of the best and most improved units in the league last season and if they can keep that up, they will be a player. Quarterback Carson Palmer is one of the top signal callers when healthy and the recent signings of receivers Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens to go along with Chad Ochocinco will make the passing game one of the best. Granted the Bengals play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL so it won’t be easy. They catch Pittsburgh both times after Roethlisberger is back but the Steelers may already be done by then. The Ravens are the class on the division but that defense is not getting any younger. It is a longshot but I feel the value here with Cincinnati is worth a shot.
Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 5 |
|
|
We have reached the point where it is a downhill drive to the start of football season. The hazy days of summer consist of MLB, WNBA and CFL. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to football. Because of the late Labor Day holiday this year, we won’t be having any August college football. As much as I want the season to get here, I think it is a good thing as to be perfectly honest, football should not start until September. That’s just the way it is. We are 43 days from the season opening kickoff between Presbyterian and Wake Forest (NL sorry folks) and that means it is time to look at some futures. Precisely, BCS Championship futures. Five teams, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio St., Florida and Boise St., all have odds in the single digits showing not much value. Let’s get the season started with some possible National Championship sleepers. Nebraska Cornhuskers (+1200) Nebraska may not be considered a real sleeper as there is a lot of buzz surrounding the Huskers this season. However, with Oklahoma being the Big XII favorite, Nebraska can fall into this category. What better way for Nebraska to exit the Big XII, a conference it never wanted to be a part of anyway, with a conference title and a National Championship? The Huskers bring back 17 starters including 10 on offense and that is important since the offense was not a strong unit last season. Replacing Ndamukong Suh is impossible but the defense, which has improved by 28 ppg and 205 ypg over two years, proves the Blackshirts are back. The schedule sets up great for the Huskers as they have seven home games, including both Texas and Missouri, and they miss Oklahoma altogether. They could face the Sooners in the Big XII Championship to earn a spot in the Glendale, AZ fro the BCS Championship. Miami, Florida Hurricanes (+2000) We cannot quite say that the Hurricanes are back to their old form from the previous three decades but they are on their way. They have improved from 5-7 to 7-6 to 9-4 over the last three years and head coach Randy Shannon, who was rewarded with a four-year contract extension, has this team believing once again. Offensively, quarterback Jacory Harris is the real deal and a new West Coast offense could have him in the Heisman Trophy discussions. Miami also got Seantrel Henderson, the top offensive linemen recruit in the nation, after he was released of his letter of intent at UCS following the sanctions there. Defensively, Miami returns 10 starters to a unit that made huge strides in the second half of the season. The big drawback for the Hurricanes is their schedule early in the season as they have three straight road games at Ohio St., Pittsburgh and Clemson. Should they pull an upset or two and it means a home showdown with Virginia Tech in the second to last week of the season is the biggest remaining roadblock. Arkansas Razorbacks (+4000) Picking a team in the SEC to win the National Championship other than Alabama or Florida may seem like tossing money away but there is some real value here. The Razorbacks burst back onto the scene last year with an 8-5 record and plenty of room for more improvement this season. Head coach bobby Petrino knows what he’s doing and he knows he has a special team in 2010. The best news took place in the offseason when quarterback Ryan Mallet decided to stay in school for his senior season. He will lead an offense that averaged 36 ppg and 427.3 ypg last season, ninth and 20th respectively in the nation last season. The defense will see big improvements and we saw some of those down the stretch last year. In total, 60 letterwinners are back. No SEC schedule is easy no matter how you look at it but the Razorbacks got a great draw. The non-conference schedule is tame and in conference action, they get both Alabama and LSU at home while avoiding Florida. Arkansas has only four true road games this season. Everything is in place for a major run. Matt Fargo is a Professional handicapper at Covers Experts, where “We only make money when you do”. |
MattFargoCE | 35 |
|
|
Let the circus begin. The 2010 NBA free agent class is the best in history and the hierarchy of teams could change dramatically. It is unlikely any of the big names will reach agreements on July 8th, the first day they can actually sign with a new team, but what about everyone else? With names like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki out there, some guys who would normally be making news are being overlooked. Let’s look at the cream of the second crop. David Lee Lee is one of the most underrated players in the league and the Knicks would be smart to lock him up. He averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.7 rpg, the second straight season he has averaged a double-double. The Bulls, Heat and Timberwolves are the three teams most interested in Lee’s services but the Nets could also be in the running if they fail to agree to terms with Bosh. Rudy Gay Gay is a model of consistency as he has very similar numbers over his last three seasons with the Grizzlies, averaging 20.2, 18.9 and 19.6 ppg and 6.2, 5.5 and 5.9 rpg. He is one of the reasons the Grizzlies are improving and could be a reason for a descent if he leaves. New Jersey and Minnesota are the frontrunners to sign Gay Raymond Felton Felton is listed as the best pure point guard available in the pool and he has gotten calls from several teams that are interested. New York, Miami, Indiana, New Jersey, Dallas and Memphis have all reportedly contacted Felton who has averaged at least 11.9 ppg and 5.6 apg in each of his five seasons with Charlotte. His demands are high and that might cause the Bobcats to part ways, a decision neither side really wants. Brad Miller Remember when he was one of the best centers in the NBA? Those days are long gone as he averaged his fewest minutes this past season since 1999-00 while putting up just 8.8 ppg and grabbing 4.9 rpg. Still, centers are hot commodity in this league, especially one that is 7’0”. Miller is expected to talk with Boston, Houston, Cleveland and Chicago over the next couple of days. Luis Scola This is definitely a name the casual NBA fan does not know but he stepped up big last season with the injury situations down low for the Rockets. He averaged 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg and he is a career 51.9 percent shooter. The lone issue is that he is 30 years old with only three years of NBA experience. The Rockets extended a qualifying offer to him and they have the option to match any offer from any other team if they choose. Who else is the best of the rest? |
MattFargoCE | 3 |
|
|
Nice! Supposed to be a decent weather weekend as well.
|
MattFargoCE | 11 |
|
|
The LPGA Championship begins today and for those who have no idea what this is, it is one of the Majors that the female golfers play. I normally could care less about this myself but the event is taking place a couple miles up the road from me at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, NY. Therefore there is interest in it for me. And I will be honest, it isn’t about the golf but it is about the chicks in the short skirts. I’m not talking about Laura Davies or Juli Inkster but the ones that we really like to look at. At the top of the list for most is Natalie Gulbis as she was easily the hottest on tour at one point. She is still up there but she has been passed by a number of newer girls that have made it on tour. Beatriz Recari is easily the hottest girl in the LPGA and she could rival a lot of the hotties in Hollywood. She is just a rookie and she is from Spain so not many people know her just yet. Don’t worry, you will. Anna Rawson is next on the list. She is downright beautiful plus she is 5’10”. She was born in Australia and came to the states to play golf at USC. You know she belongs on this list when she was a model before a golfer. This one will go either way for a lot of people – Michelle Wie. She came up as the Tiger Woods of ladies golf but never lived up to expectations. Injuries and her idiot parents kept her back but she is now starting to meet those expectations. And her legs go on forever. Nicole Hage has not earned a penny on tour this year and has earned only $8,000 in her career but she is making money with Play Golf Designs, a company that sends golfers out to charity events. She is basically a pretty golfer for hire. I’d hire her. If you read ESPN the Magazine, Anna Grzebien was one of the three female golfers to appear in that controversial ‘Body Issue’. I found no controversy is seeing her naked by a golf cart. Plus she went to Duke so she is really smart. There goes my chance. Christie Kerr is on the list because she is old. I am old. She used to be a little husky, ok big, but she has slendered down and looks pretty good now in my opinion. She has children so we all know what that makes her. A few others that come to mind are Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Suzanne Pettersen but don’t quite cut. Anyone I may be missing? Excuse me while I go find my fake beard and head out to do some stalking. |
MattFargoCE | 11 |
|
|
Exactly, some of those rivalries have a lot of meaning and incredible history. Some that will possibly be put on hold: Kansas – Missouri (est. 1891, 118 games) Colorado – Nebraska (est. 1898, 68 games) Nebraska – Oklahoma (est. 1912, 85 games) I’m sure there is a way they will work these games in as part of the non-conference schedules but it won’t be the same. |
MattFargoCE | 12 |
|
|
Wednesday was arguably the single biggest day in collegiate athletics that I have seen that will affect the future of the sporting landscape. One day is all it took to completely change the dynamic of college sports. First, Nebraska decided to leave the Big XII and move to the Big Ten. It isn’t official yet but it is going to be made official very soon. This is going to create a domino effect and the once mighty Big XII will be left in shambles. Colorado is expected to join the Pac Ten as early as Thursday and that could trigger a mass exodus. I’m not a fan of these moves at all. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to college sports, namely college football. I don’t like change as it messes up so many things that are good about the game. A lot of young readers may not remember the Southwest Conference or the Big Eight Conference when they dissolved in 1996 to form the Big XII, the first superconference. I didn’t like it then and this is why I don’t like it now. We all know what this is about and it is unfortunate that money has taken over college sports. There are going to be many rivalries that will come to an end but depending on where the majority of the teams go, some could still remain in effect. Who are the losers? Kansas, Kansas St., Baylor and Iowa St. will be left holding their ‘you know what’. There has been an argument the last few years about which conference is stronger, the SEC or the Big XII. With the latter pretty much dissolving before our eyes, I think we now know the answer to that question. Second, the NCAA will give a formal announcement on the sanctions for the USC athletic program on Thursday. It isn’t going to be pretty. It looks as though there will be a two-year postseason ban as well as the loss of at least 20 scholarships. They will also likely have to forfeit all wins from the 2004 season. This will go down as one of the most severe penalties for a major program since a two-year postseason ban was imposed on Ole Miss in 1994. This is a huge blow to the Trojans obviously as the powerhouse out west is no more. Losing 20 scholarships is huge; just ask Oklahoma when it lost 20 back in 1988 and took over a decade to recover. Head coach Lane Kiffin was led to believe the sanctions would not be as harsh and he passed that on to the recruits. One such recruit was Seantrel Henderson, a five-star offensive lineman, who did not sign until nearly two months after national signing day because of the concerns of the possible penalties. He was told by Kiffin that everything would be fine. Ok Lane. Tennessee may make June 10 a state holiday and could not be happier for Kiffin. The Pete Carroll move to the Seattle Seahawks makes so much more sense now. Lastly, rumors are swirling about Tom Izzo leaving Michigan St. and heading to the Cavaliers in the NBA. This is not going to affect anything in college basketball but the fact that it came out on the same day as everything else makes it noteworthy. Izzo has had an incredible run at Michigan St. and it looks like he may want to make the move to bigger and better things. He should consult with coaches such as Mike Montgomery, John Calipari and Rick Pitino who all left for the NBA and failed miserably. The NBA is not always bigger and better. The one thing in Izzo’s corner is LeBron James. While nothing has been reported, it is hard to believe Izzo would go to Cleveland if LeBron does not re-sign with the Cavaliers. And it is hard to believe that LeBron would re-sign without the hiring of a big mane coach. This could be a match. Has there been another day in college sports that so much has taken place? |
MattFargoCE | 12 |
|
|
Truly, everyone makes valid points and this is a topic that is very opinionated as it should be. Joyce said that he thought the ball was not under control which if you look at the replay from that angle, the ball is clearly visible. In regular motion, that mistake can be made, but in slow motion you can see he had control of it. It looks as though MLB is going to review this and it very could be overturned. I guarantee you that Joyce would be at the front of the line to overturn it. He manned up which is what the article was mainly about. Other umpires have not said they were wrong on many occasions when they were clearly wrong. Joyce is behind home plate today, it will certainly be interesting. |
MattFargoCE | 36 |
|
|
In my opinion, Dale Scott made the worse of the two calls last night as he single-handedly gave the Mariners a win. Joyce messed up history yes but he did not decide the outcome of a game that could have playoff implications down the line for the Twins. That I feel is a bigger error. Has Scott apologized yet? Keep in mind that Joyce has a reputation for excellence. This is from a story today on mlb.com: Jim Joyce has a reputation for being a good umpire. And for some, he's better than good. Yankees catcher Jorge Posada calls him "one of the best in the league." Cleveland's Russell Branyan said Joyce "has eyes like a hawk" and "ice water in his veins." "To me, there is no more conscientious umpire in the Major Leagues than Jim Joyce," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He gives you a hellacious effort every time." I'm not going to say he was right because he wasn't. But with the way the umpires have been trying to upstage the players, Joyce deserves better than death threats and cries for him to be suspended. |
MattFargoCE | 36 |
|
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.