Gators face Redhawks in season-opener in Gainesville

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/01/2010 - Gainesville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The post Tim Tebow Era begins in Gainesville this weekend, as the fourth-ranked Florida Gators open up their 2010 season at home against the Miami-Ohio RedHawks.

Florida returns plenty of talent from a team that went 13-1 in 2009, but the squad will be under careful scrutiny to see if it can remain among the nation's elite without one of college football's all-time greats leading the way. The 13 wins last year marked the second straight season with that many victories, making Florida the first team to do that in FBS history. Despite a new leader under center, the bar is still set very high for Urban Meyer's squad in 2010 both in the SEC and the big picture as a whole.

The Miami-Ohio Redhawks would like nothing better than to make a statement in this game and pull off a monumental upset, following a 2009 campaign that saw the team manage just one win against 11 defeats. It was certainly not the debut new head coach Michael Haywood envisioned and the hope is that a veteran group is ready to make some noise in 2010.

Last year the RedHawks were a one-dimensional team and a lack of a ground game (119th nationally) cost the team more often than not. A more run-oriented offense is on tap for 2010, and a committee of tailbacks will likely be used. Thomas Merriweather is the veteran of the group and led the team with a mere 291 yards in 2009.

A strength of the team will be up front, where four of last year's five starters return. The offensive line will be charged with protecting sophomore QB Zac Dysert, who is regarded as one of the MAC's top signal-callers. Despite the team winning just one game, Dysert flourished as a freshman last year, throwing for over 2,600 yards. If the ground game fails to materialize again, Dysert will find a way to get the ball down the field to senior wideout Armand Robinson. Robinson will be joined in the receiving corps by junior Chris Givens, who missed most of last season due to injury.

Assistant coach Alex Wood has inherited a talented group of receivers and thinks Robinson's work habits in particular will help him be even better this season.

"He's a really good inside receiver, a slot receiver. That's been his forte. He worked hard this spring to add another dimension to his role as an outside receiver. Hopefully, he'll be able to play inside and outside."

As a result of the poor play on offense, the Miami-Ohio defense struggled as well, as the team surrendered 34.2 ppg (108th in the nation). The real weakness was against the run, where foes gashed Miami for a whopping 186.9 ypg.

Mike Johns and Austin Brown return to the front line, but a lot is expected of freshman end Mwnza Wamulumba (6-3, 246), who earned a starting position with a strong spring. The most dangerous player on this defense is middle linebacker Jerrell Wedge. Wedge, who led the MAC with 18.5 TFLs this past season, is a disruptive player. The junior will be flanked by sophomores Evan Harris and Luke Kelly. The defensive backfield has the most experience, as three of the four starters return, including senior safety Jordan Gafford. Brandon Stephens is the most experienced cornerback, but youngsters like sophomore D.J. Brown and freshman Dayonne Nunley will be instrumental as well.

The eyes of the college football world will gravitate to Florida quarterback John Brantley this season, as he tries to replace Tebow under center. At the SEC Media Days, Meyer was asked if he is concerned about the scrutiny that Brantley will face.

"If he was a freshman or sophomore, we'd give a lot of thought to that," said the coach. "We have a real clear understanding of what John Brantley can do."

While he didn't see the field much behind Tebow, Brantley did complete 75 percent of his limited passes, for 410 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. He will be aided in 2010 by a number of playmakers on offense. Deonte Thompson had four receiving touchdowns a year ago and appears ready to take a step forward. As for Chris Rainey, a fellow junior, he is a true burner who is extremely versatile and will make the move to wide receiver after playing tailback. Listed as a tailback, Jeff Demps carried the ball 99 times for 745 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and he also possesses tremendous speed. With Rainey and Demps in the fold, Brantley can throw short passes and let his weapons do the rest. Three starters are back along the Florida offensive line, and while a couple of key cogs did depart, this unit should be among the strongest in the SEC, led by All-American candidate Mike Pouncey.

Florida has co-defensive coordinators heading into the 2010 season, and while that may seem a bit unorthodox, there is enough work to be done to keep both Chuck Heater and Teryl Austin busy. Six starters are gone from last season's stout defense that limited foes to a mere 12.4 ppg and 252.6 total ypg (fourth nationally in both categories). Clearly, this defense lost some stars, but the cupboard isn't exactly bare.

All-American candidate Ahmad Black, now a senior, is one of the nation's finest safeties. Fellow safety Will Hill will join Black in the secondary, as will cover corner Janoris Jenkins. Up front, the tackle position figures to be strong with Terron Sanders, Omar Hunter and Lawrence Marsh clogging the middle, although Sanders is listed as doubtful for the opener (knee). The key will be getting consistent pressure off the edges. The linebacking corps will miss All-American Brandon Spikes and it will be up to A.J. Jones, a senior, to spearhead the attack in the middle of the field.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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