MLB Betting – White Sox vs Tigers Preview & Pick
It’s officially time for the Chicago White Sox to stop underachieving.
Month: July 2011
2011-2012 Football Previews – Conference USA – Houston Cougars
The 2010 season didn’t go at all how the Houston Cougars had expected. The team was nationally ranked going into the season, but injuries derailed the season after just two games.
How to Bet on NFL Football
There is no more powerful force in sports betting than NFL football. It garners the majority of action at all books and it’s a big reason why the NFL itself is the most popular major pro sports league.
2011-2012 Football Previews – Conference USA – Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Todd Graham left Tulsa during the offseason to take over the top job at Pittsburgh. Graham did a great job in his tenure at the school, and he left the team in good shape.
Free Online NFL Picks & Week 1 NFL Gambling Selections
Our look ahead to Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season continues with NFL betting picks for four more early games.
NCAA Football Betting Futures – 2011 Conference USA Season Preview
Look out for Conference USA. Sure, this conference isn’t elite yet, but it’s certainly on the rise. Last year, both UCF and Tulsa cracked the AP Top-25 season-ending poll, marking the first time in 15 years that Conference USA boasted two nationally ranked teams.
July 14th 2011: Daily Sports News – Gossip – Headlines
MLB news: Modell’s comes to Christian Lopez’s aid
Choosing to give Derek Jeter his 3,000th-hit ball is certainly starting to pay off for New York Yankees fan Christian Lopez.
July 14th NFL News: Cappers Picks Headlines – Daily Sports Gossip
NFL news: Dez Bryant wants to move on from Deion Sanders
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is distancing himself from mentor Deion Sanders.
July 14th NBA Hoops News: Cappers Picks Headlines – Daily Sports Gossip
NBA news: NBA will return $160 million owed to players
On Tuesday, the NBA will return the $160 million that it threatened to keep from players during labor negotiations last month.
MLB Betting Previews – NY Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays
The New York Yankees begin their push towards the postseason this Thursday night in the first of a four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays as the second half of the MLB regular season gets underway after this week’s All-Star break.
CFL Power Rankings: Week 3
This week’s CFL Power Rankings feature some familiar faces at the top of the list, as well as a few surprises among the heavy hitters.
CFL Betting – Week 3 B.C. Lions vs Edmonton Eskimos Predictions
Looking at the CFL schedule, we had to know that this was going to be a pivotal game for one of these teams to hope to stay in the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
CFL Betting – Week 3 Toronto Argonauts vs Montreal Alouettes Predictions
In a matchup of teams that boast the best quarterback in the CFL and perhaps the worst pivot in the league, the Montreal Alouettes will try to remain perfect on the season at the expense of the Cleo Lemon led Toronto Argonauts.
2011 MLB Second Half Picks and Predictions
The All-Star break this week signals the start of the stretch run of the MLB regular season and the 2011 edition features some of the tightest division races in years.
2011-2012 Football Previews – Conference USA – Southern Methodist Mustangs
In January 2008, the SMU Mustangs made the announcement that June Jones had been hired to take over as head coach of the football program. It was a surprise to many, and it was a terrific hire for the Mustangs.
Conference USA 2011-2012 Football Previews: SMU Mustangs
Head Coach: June Jones
2010 Record: 7-7
SMU Gambling Odds from BetOnline to win BCS: +1,500 (Part of Field)
SMU Odds from 5Dimes to win Conference USA Championship: +800
SMU Odds from 5Dimes to win Conference USA West Division: +365
SMU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
**BETONLINE – THE BEST SPORTSBOOK FOR NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING! – CLICK HERE NOW + BET TODAY!**
Jones has proven his ability to turn around a program that has been on the mat for several years, and he appears to be doing the same at SMU. In 2009, SMU reached a bowl game for the first time in 25 years.
Last year, the SMU Mustangs won the Conference USA West Division, but they finished just 7-7. SMU was able to beat the teams they were supposed to beat, but they struggled against the upper echelon of teams they played. It was a slightly disappointing year for a team that had fairly high expectations. The Mustangs return 18 starters, which is more than anyone in the conference. Can SMU take another step forward in 2011?
Team Strengths:
Zach Line quickly emerged as a great runner last year. Going into last season, SMU expected to give a number of runners plenty of carries each game, but Line grabbed hold of the job with some terrific performances. He averaged an astonishing 6.1 yards per carry in 2010. He ended up leading Conference USA in rushing, and I fully expect him to have another big year in 2011.
The defensive line improved remarkably in 2010, and every single player from the first and second string on the defensive line returns this year. This is a defensive unit that allowed just 3.7 yards per carry last season. Taylor Thompson is the best of the bunch, but SMU’s depth on the line will be a big strength moving forward.
The SMU offensive line returns their entire two-deep roster, and they will also get a lot of help from Josh LeRibeus. LeRibeus was ineligible last year, but is ready to go this season. No team in college football has offensive linemen with as much starting experience as the Mustangs. Expect this line to shove their opponents off the ball frequently this year.
Team Weaknesses:
SMU has had a serious problem with turnovers in the last couple years. Last year, SMU was ranked 10th in Conference USA in turnover margin at minus 12. The Mustangs offense must improve in the red zone, where they often either stall out or turn the ball over. SMU racked up 415 yards per game last year, but they averaged just 25.7 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The linebackers were a strength for this team last year, but SMU lost a couple of their top linebackers from that team. The Mustangs defensive scheme relies heavily on the linebackers roaming all over the field and making plays. Since SMU will have some young and inexperienced linebackers in 2011, this could be an area of weakness.
2011-2012 SMU Football Prediction: 7-6
Conference USA’s West Division is much stronger than it has been in the past few years, which will make life a lot more difficult on SMU this year. The schedule in 2011 is much more difficult than it has been the last couple years.
SMU must travel to Southern Miss, Houston, and Tulsa. Kyle Padron needs to progress and make better decisions with the football if SMU is going to take a big step forward this year.
I expect SMU to be improved from a year ago, but the tough schedule will keep them from making a big leap. SMU should qualify for another bowl berth, but I don’t think they’ll win the West this year.
2011 SMU Mustangs Schedule
9/4/11 7:30 PM ET @TXAM
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET UTEP
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET NWST
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @MEM
9/30/11 8:00 PM ET @TCU
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET CENFL
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET @SOMIS
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @TULSA
11/5/11 3:00 PM ET TULNE
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET NAVY
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @HOU
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET RICE
Click here to check out MORE 2011 college football previews for the 2011-2012 NCAA Football Season!
2011-2012 Football Previews – Conference USA – Tulane Green Wave
Tulane hasn’t had a winning season since 2002, and they have lost at least eight games for six straight years. Bob Toledo was supposed to be the guy to come in and turn this program around, but the Green Wave has gone 13-35 since he took over.
