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09/01/2010 - Honolulu, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A new era in USC football begins on Thursday as new head coach Lane Kiffin leads his 14th-ranked Trojans into Honolulu to face the Hawaii Warriors in a non-conference showdown.
Kiffin, who was previously an assistant at USC, has taken over for Pete Carroll who once again has jumped to the NFL and will be handling the action with the Seattle Seahawks this year. The Trojans currently own a streak of 16 straight non-conference wins, yet no matter the score of this game or the rest of the outings on the schedule in 2010, there's no reward for success because the team has been banned from postseason play due to NCAA violations.
Leaving Tennessee unceremoniously after just one year, where he had a mere 7-6 record and was 4-4 in SEC play, Kiffin is back in his old stomping grounds with a USC squad that finished 9-4 a year ago, but was a mere 5-4 in the Pac-10 after being such a dominant force in the league for so many years. The team alternated wins and losses for the last seven games and closed with a 24-13 win over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl, the first non-BCS bowl for the program since 2001.
Meanwhile the host Warriors, a team that is 19-15 in home openers at Aloha Stadium, they are kicking off a campaign against the Trojans for the third time since 1999, even though they are just 15-34 all-time against members of the Pac-10 Conference. Head coach Greg McMackin, who is no stranger to controversy himself, is beginning his third year as the lead man in Honolulu with a squad that put up a 6-7 mark last season. Against fellow members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Warriors posted a 3-5 mark a season ago as they went on to score a mere 22.8 ppg to mark their weakest effort in that department in more than a decade.
As far as the all-time series between these two schools is concerned, USC has taken all six previous encounters by outscoring the Warriors by a combined 297-67 dating back to 1930. The most recent battle took place in 2005 when the Trojans posted a 63-17 blowout, the third straight game in which USC logged at least 61 points, but that victory has since been vacated due to NCAA penalty.
On the watch list for the Maxwell, Manning and Davey O'Brien Awards heading into this season, quarterback Matt Barkley is the centerpiece around which the USC offense has been created. Barkley, who became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for USC, returns after completing close to 60 percent of his passes for 2,735 yards and 15 scores in 2009.
"The way he's moving around in the pocket and the things that he's seeing, obviously it's not a game situation, but we are very excited about what he's done for us over these 14 practices and what he can do for us in the future," is what coach Kiffin said of Barkley's progression during practices earlier this year.
One of Barkley's main outlets will again be Stanley Havli, a three-year starter who to this point already has made more catches (84) than any other fullback in USC history. Joining Havli in the backfield is tailback Allen Bradford who gained 668 yards and scored eight times for the unit a year ago, not to mention C.J. Gable who has also contributed significant numbers during his career.
Starting half the season a year ago, wideout Ronald Johnson is expected to put up strong numbers in 2010 after reeling in 34 balls for three touchdowns in 2009. Also in the mix out on the wings are Brice Butler and Brandon Carswell, who combined for 25 receptions and a pair of scores after starting just four games.
In 2007, the scoring defense for the Trojans ranked second in the nation with just 16.0 ppg allowed and in 2008 the group was even more dominating as it limited foes to a mere nine points per contest to rank first in the country. But last year the group took a few steps back as they surrendered 19.9 ppg, placing them 22nd in the country, even though they were still first in the Pac-10. Part of the problem was giving up 55 points to Stanford, the most points ever scored against the Trojans, and that came during a stretch when the program was allowing an average of nearly 35 ppg and an unsightly 455.6 ypg.
The unit has lost five of its top 10 tacklers from a year ago, but getting things kicked off on the right foot is junior tackle Jurrell Casey who logged 59 stops, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Even though the group was inexperienced in 2009, the Trojans have to be happy about getting guys like Malcolm Smith and Chris Galippo, the latter being an All-America selection, back at a couple of linebacker positions. Michael Morgan, who led the team with his 13 TFLs, is also back to patrol the middle of the field for the group.
The weakest part of the defense for the Trojans will be the secondary as the squad replaces all four defensive backs from a year ago, something that doesn't exactly bode well as they kick things off against a pass-happy program like Hawaii. Even though he is inexperienced in terms of game action, cornerback Shareece Wright will be expected to provide some level of leadership seeing as how he is the only senior on scholarship in the defensive backfield.
After ranking just 28th in the nation in passing in 2008 with 251.3 ypg, the Hawaii offense went back to the drawing board to get the attack back on track and it appeared to get the job done in 2009 by ranking third in the country with 337.0 ypg through the air. However, unlike previous years when the team had a high profile gunslinger whipping the ball all around the field, the squad had to turn to Bryant Moniz after Greg Alexander was sidelined with a season-ending injury early on.
Moniz, who completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 10 picks, stepped into the role rather well given the circumstances. The good news is that the junior will have senior slot receiver Greg Salas to lean on yet again. A First Team All-WAC performer as a junior in '09, Salas ranked fourth in the nation in receiving yards per game with 122.3, so he can clearly shoulder any load that the offense puts on him.
Losing Leon Wright-Jackson at the running back spot will be a tough hurdle to clear, but Alex Green should be able to pick up some of the slack after he gained 453 yards and scored twice as the second-best option a year ago coming out of the backfield. However, having Moniz and Alexander listed as the third- and four-best options, respectively, carrying the ball is not a luxury the offense should have in 2010.
In an effort to breath new life into the offense, coach McMackin has brought Mouse Davis back to the sidelines and is expecting the move to pay big dividends.
"We're very fortunate to get the architect of the run-and-shoot to come back to Hawaii and coach our wide receivers. "He taught the run-and-shoot to me, June (Jones), Ron (Lee), and everyone else in the country who runs this offense. He's been the single, most influential person in the passing game from high school to the professional level, in my opinion."
As poor as the rushing attack was for the team a year ago, ranking 109th in the nation with just 100.5 ypg, the run defense was just as shaky with a monstrous 201.9 ypg allowed and that simply cannot be the case in 2010 if this group is going to advance in a positive direction. The pass defense should be a different story, given how well they performed in the final five games of the '09 season. Mana Silva showed a nose for the ball with his six interceptions and will again be one to watch at the safety position, while Lemetrius Davis and Spencer Smith play close to receivers and make their presence felt.
While the defensive line gets some support from a couple of transfers, the area of most concern for the Warriors is at linebacker where the starters have a combined four games of experience. Redshirt freshman George Daily-Lyles, Paipai Falemalu and Corey Paredes will all be thrown into the fire and expected to produce as soon as possible in order to keep this team from being taken advantage of.
<< Top-25 matchup on tap in Arlington
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Top 25 teams clash in the Lone Star
State this weekend, as the 24th-ranked Oregon State Beavers battle the sixth-
ranked TCU Horned Frogs at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
The Beavers made a serious
<< 11th-ranked Ducks open season at home against Lobos
Eugene, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 11th-ranked Oregon Ducks get their 2010
campaign started this weekend, when the New Mexico Lobos visit Eugene for a
non-conference affair at Autzen Stadium.
Chip Kelly took over an already successful Oregon
<< Gators face Redhawks in season-opener in Gainesville
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
<< Top-25 foes LSU and UNC clash in Atlanta
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An intriguing 2010 season-opener takes place in
Atlanta this weekend, as 21st-ranked LSU takes on 18th-ranked North Carolina
in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Les Miles may be on the hot seat in Death Valley thi
'Horns and Owls hook up in Houston >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns kick off the
2010 season with an intrastate matchup against the Rice Owls at Houston's
Reliant Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Texas, fresh off yet another Big 12 Conference titl
Nittany Lions set to pounce on Penguins in season opener >>
University Park, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany
Lions lift the lid on the 2010 season against FCS foe Youngstown State in what
appears to be one of college football's most obvious mismatches of opening
weekend.
A n
Crimson Tide begin national title defense against visiting Spartans >>
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Alabama Crimson Tide, ranked atop the AP
Poll as the 2010 season gets underway, begins defense of their national title
when they play host to the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday evening at
Bryant-Denny
17th-ranked Hogs host Golden Eagles in 2010 opener >>
Fayetteville, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 17th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks open
up their highly anticipated 2010 season this weekend, as the welcome the
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles to Fayetteville.
Bobby Petrino is in his third year at the hel
The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.
Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.
The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
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My fellow Americans, as tempting as it may be to don the coat and HD-ready tie in order to deliver this State of the Game address before the cameras, I know better. As Brad Paisley sings on his latest album, "I'm so much cooler online."
The ideas for this annual essay to kick off the MySportsbook.com college football betting preview flowed like frat-house beer, which is to say they were cheap and spilled all over the floor. The 2007 season will be better than 2007, if only because there will be more of it. A year ago, the NCAA Football Rules Committee made two rule changes in the interest of speeding up the game. These changes went over like Kobe burgers at a vegan banquet.
To its credit, the rules committee rectified its mistakes. This season the clock once again will start when a kickoff is received, rather than when it is kicked, and the clock will not start so quickly on a change of possession.
However, kickoffs have been moved back five yards, to the 30, which will force more returns. (Thus forcing the clock to run. Clever, huh?) Special teams might decide a lot of games, because coaching strategy will come straight out of another new Paisley lyric (almost), I'd like to check you for kicks.
Paisley sings with a twang, which is why he's appropriate for this college football season. The sun coming up over the 2007 college football betting lines season rises from the south. It's a Southern football world. As the Southeastern Conference begins its 75th year, the power shift is noticeable.
Eight-figure budgets, glamorous settings -- and that's just for the head coaches. The SEC has four coaches who have won national championships -- the greatest aggregation of coaching know-how since Eddie Robinson dined alone.
Steve Spurrier, Phil Fulmer, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer have given lie to the idea that a conference championship game is too daunting a hurdle on the road to No. 1. In six of the past 10 seasons, the national champions played and won a conference championship game -- three of the six (Tennessee, 1998; LSU, 2003; Florida, 2007) from the SEC.
There will be more of the same this season, if the preseason prognostications are correct. Six SEC teams are in the preseason coaches' poll, more than from any other conference. Only one conference has talent so deep that a team with 15 returning starters, including the best quarterback in the league, from an eight-win season is considered an afterthought. That may speak more to Kentucky's losing legacy than to the wisdom of the predictions, but there you have it. And seriously, keep an eye on Wildcats QB Andre' Woodson.
The reach of the South extends all the way to No. 1. Take a look at the team that is a consensus pick to win the national championship. The quarterback is from Shreveport. The best wide receiver is from Nashville. The top recruit is from New Orleans.
So what's the campus doing in Los Angeles? Hey, it is the University of Southern California.
USC lost two Pacific-10 Conference games a year ago, the first time that had happened in five seasons, and university officials withstood the urge to form blue-ribbon panels to unearth the cause of such a disaster. Instead, the Trojans gathered themselves and routed Michigan, 32-18, in the Rose Bowl.
USC's losses at Oregon State and at UCLA last year should have given pause to those who question the Pac-10's football prowess (such as, without naming names, L.M. from Baton Rouge). The league only got deeper this season; Dennis Erickson is taking over an Arizona State team that never quite got out of its own way under his predecessor, Dirk Koetter.
Erickson will resume his quest to become the first coach to win a national championship at two schools. Both he and Spurrier, now in his third season at South Carolina, returned to college football at schools with lower profiles than where they won their titles.
That isn't the case for the third coach looking for the national championship double. You may have missed this, but NASA reported the astronauts on the space shuttle last spring made contact with what can only be described as beings from another galaxy.
The leader of the aliens said, "We come in peace," followed by, "So how do you think Nick Saban will do at Alabama?"
The public is reacting to the new Crimson Tide coach as if he is the Barry Bonds of college football -- beloved at home for what his fans believe he is going to do, hated on the road for his intimidating attitude and for what his detractors believe he did (bend NCAA recruiting rules). I made this comparison from the dais at a charity dinner in Mobile, Ala., last month, and the chill that washed over me didn't come from the air conditioning.
Saban will attempt to prove that he can remake in Tuscaloosa what he built in Baton Rouge, much like another member of the national championship fraternity. Bobby Bowden is attempting to remake at Florida State what he built at, um, Florida State. Bowden rebuilt his offensive staff, bringing in four new coaches led by Saban's former offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher, to jump-start an offense that has been dead for a couple of years.
The Atlantic Coast Conference is expected to show new signs of life, too. That is said with no disrespect toward last season's champion, Wake Forest, which provided one of the best story lines of 2007. The Demon Deacons begin this season in their customary position, overshadowed by the Virginia Techs, Miamis and Florida States.
It's not that Wake will find it difficult to duplicate its success in 2007 as much as the feeling that success engendered. Surprising success is the narcotic of sport. It never feels quite so euphoric the next time. Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has figured this out. He refers to 2007, when a league looked down upon by fans and foes alike took three undefeated teams into November, as "Cinderella."
The fairy tale may be over, but the Big East has four genuine Heisman Trophy candidates in Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, West Virginia tailback Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, and Rutgers tailback Ray Rice. Rutgers, as did Wake Forest and, of course, Boise State, proved last season that the have-nots in college football occasionally have quite a lot.
The Broncos' rousing 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl has raised the profile of all schools in conferences that don't get automatic BCS bids. This season, TCU and Hawaii are the preseason favorites to burst through the BCS doors and earn an at-large bid. The Warriors return 14 starters from an 11-3 team, including quarterback Colt Brennan.
Brennan not only broke the single-season record with 58 touchdown passes in 2007, but he also led Division I-A in passing efficiency (186.0). The senior is expected to contend for the Heisman Trophy, and neither his success nor the rise of his team should come as any surprise in the 2007 season.
After all, Hawaii is the southernmost team in the country.
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