For years, the Florida Gators and the LSU Tigers have put on some absolutely epic performances, including a number of upsets of teams ranked No. 1 in the country. This year, the Bayou Bengals could be sporting an awfully high ranking when the once mighty Gators come to town, and this should be a clash that you won’t want to miss, as both of these teams could be vying for their respective places in the SEC Championship Game as a result.

Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers Picks & Info
Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers Date: Saturday, October 8th
Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers Spread: LSU Tigers -7.5

This could be the start of an ugly decline to the season for the Gators, as this in the second of four straight horrendous games on the slate. Head Coach Will Muschamp knows that QB John Brantley is going to be under the gun going against a stout LSU defense, and that this will be his toughest task of the season. The biggest problem that UF has is that there is no time to prepare for this game, which comes just a week after the home date with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The defense for UF is going to have to be big in this one, because if the Bayou Bengals get into the high 20s or the low 30s, this one is as good as finished.

Florida Gators vs. LSU Tigers Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: LSU 33 – Florida 29
2009: Florida 13 – LSU 3
2008: Florida 51 – LSU 21
2007: LSU 28 – Florida 24
2006: Florida 23 – LSU 10
2005: LSU 21 – Florida 17
2004: LSU 24 – Florida 21
2003: Florida 19 – LSU 7
2002: LSU 36 – Florida 7
2001: Florida 44 – LSU 15
2000: Florida 41 – LSU 9
1999: Florida 31 – LSU 10
1998: Florida 22 – LSU 10
1997: LSU 28 – Florida 21
1996: Florida 56 – LSU 13
1995: Florida 28 – LSU 10

We’re going to talk a lot about the Tigers in these Top 25 games this year, as they have a slew of big time games that could decide their season. This is a spooky spot for Head Coach Les Miles and company, though. Florida is going to be a vitally dangerous opponent, and with games having already been played against Oregon, Mississippi State, and West Virginia, this could be a huge letdown spot in the schedule. Even with the loss of DB Patrick Peterson, the Bayou Bengals are still going to be amongst the top teams defensively in the nation, and we expect to see even better numbers than the 311.9 yards per game that this unit allowed last season. This is a game that the Tigers shouldn’t lose, but the way that this series has gone with a slew of road teams winning over the years, you just don’t really ever know.

Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/17/11):
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Florida Gators (+7.5) @ LSU Tigers

With the departures of both Colorado and Nebraska, the door really has swung open for the Oklahoma Sooners (Current Big 12 Odds: 1 to 1.80 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) to walk away from this conference. Texas is down once again this season, and there just aren’t that many teams that we feel can challenge Boomer Sooner. The biggest problem that this season could have is the road game at Okie State at the end of the season. However, Texas A&M comes to Norman, and there shouldn’t be any other difficult road tests on the schedule. This is one of the best teams in the land and is clearly the best team in the Big XII.

Seemingly the only other team that would have a shot of taking out of Sooners is the Oklahoma State Cowboys (2011 Big 12 Lines: 9 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The only problem that Oklahoma State has is that we’re not sure that the Pokes are going to be able to survive this schedule. Games at Texas A&M, Texas, an Missouri in just a five week stretch are going to prove to be nearly impossible to avoid disaster, and the roadie at Texas A&M probably won’t be fun in the middle of November either. However, QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon could both be in for absolutely amazing seasons and could be playing a spoiler role to the National Championship hopes of the Sooners.

If the Texas A&M Aggies (Current Big 12 Odds: 5.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) can play like they did down the stretch a season ago, they really could be for a great year as well. The problem is that we just don’t see QB Ryan Tannehill and this defense being able to take care of Oklahoma on the road. If the Aggies do though, they’re going to be in the driver’s seat, because both Oklahoma State and Texas, the next two biggest challenges that the conference has to offer, are games that are going to be played in College Station, where A&M went 5-3 ATS last season.

2011 Odds To Win The Big 12 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/17/11):
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Oklahoma Sooners 1 to 1.80
Texas A&M Aggies 5.50 to 1
Texas Longhorns 7.50 to 1
Oklahoma State Cowboys 9 to 1
Missouri Tigers 16 to 1
Baylor Bears 20 to 1
Texas Tech Red Raiders 22 to 1
Kansas State Wildcats 36 to 1
Iowa State Cyclones 110 to 1
Kansas Jayhawks 160 to 1

The Big East is going to be a tough conference to handicap this season. There clearly aren’t any National Championship contenders, but there are definitely at least half of the teams in the conference that can claim glory and make it to the BCS. The favorites this year, seemingly as always, are the West Virginia Mountaineers (Current Big East Odds: 1.75 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The problem that the ‘Neers have is that they have four road games this year in conference play. The good news is that the “Backyard Brawl” is at home in Morgantown, but four road games in the last six games is going to be awfully difficult to survive.

The South Florida Bulls (2011 Big East Lines: 2.75 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) are the team that could come out of nowhere to win the conference. Of course, the oddsmakers are onto just how good the Bulls really could be with QB BJ Daniels running the ship. It’s only a matter of time until Head Coach Skip Holtz really gets this program rolling, and this could be the year that USF finally gets to the big time.

The other team that is up and coming in the Big East is the Louisville Cardinals (Current Big East Odds: 10 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The first year for Head Coach Charlie Strong was a great one for the Cards, and if that’s the case again this season, this could be a shocking team to watch. Louisville made it to a bowl game last year, and it isn’t all that far removed from Big East supremacy. Sure, three out of four on the road to end the season is going to be tough, as will those four road games in conference play. However, we were absolutely shocked at what the ‘Ville was able to do last year as the biggest underdog in the Big East, so this year, we wouldn’t be surprised if this is a team that really has a shot of winning the Big East this season.

2011 Odds To Win The Big East @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/17/11):
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West Virginia Mountaineers 1.75 to 1
South Florida Bulls 2.75 to 1
Pittsburgh Panthers 3.75 to 1
Cincinnati Bearcats 9 to 1
Louisville Cardinals 10 to 1
Syracuse Orange 17 to 1
Connecticut Huskies 23 to 1
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 24 to 1

In the state of Texas, football is a heck of a lot more than just a game, especially when two of the teams from in state are playing one another. A Big XII title could be on the line at the end of the season when the Texas A&M Aggies play host to the Texas Longhorns in what is clearly one of the best battles on the NCAA football odds of the season.

Texas Longhorns @ Texas A&M Aggies Picks & Info
Texas Longhorns @ Texas A&M Aggies Date: Thursday, November 24th, 2011
Texas Longhorns @ Texas A&M Aggies Location: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
Texas Longhorns @ Texas A&M Aggies Spread: Texas A&M Aggies -6

Texas was really a train wreck last season, finishing 5-7 and just 2-6 in conference play. Now, Head Coach Mack Brown also has to deal with the loss of his defensive coordinator, and his coach in waiting, Will Muschamp, who fled to the University of Florida in the offseason. This year though, the question is going to be whether QB Garrett Gilbert is going to be able to step up. He was an absolute disaster in 2010, throwing for just 2,744 yards and 10 TDs against 17 picks, numbers which just pale in comparison to those of his predecessors like Colt McCoy and Vince Young.

Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Texas A&M 24 – Texas 17
2009: Texas 49 – Texas A&M 39
2008: Texas 49 – Texas A&M 9
2007: Texas A&M 38 – Texas 30
2006: Texas A&M 12 – Texas 7
2005: Texas 40 – Texas A&M 29
2004: Texas 26 – Texas A&M 13
2003: Texas 46 – Texas A&M 15
2002: Texas 50 – Texas A&M 20
2001: Texas 21 – Texas A&M 7
2000: Texas 43 – Texas A&M 17
1999: Texas A&M 20 – Texas 16
1998: Texas 26 – Texas A&M 24
1997: Texas A&M 27 – Texas 16
1996: Texas 51 – Texas A&M 16
1995: Texas 16 – Texas A&M 6

For a change, the Aggies are really going to be the decided favorite in this game, something that they haven’t been in a number of years. And why not? Head Coach Mike Sherman saved his job last year by taking out his onetime Heisman Trophy contender, QB Jerrod Johnson and replacing him with QB Ryan Tannehill, who absolutely lit the world on fire. The Aggies have a great returning backfield and should have an offense that is tough to stop. The question is whether or not a defense which allowed 366 yards per game last season and had some absolutely brutal moments against teams like Oklahoma State and LSU can right the ship and keep A&M in the driver’s seat. This should be a game that Aggies fans are definitely looking forward to this season, as it could really be a romp. This might not be a bad number to invest in right now at -6.

Texas Longhorns @ Texas A&M Aggies @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/17/11):
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Texas Longhorns (+6) @ Texas A&M Aggies

The “World’s Largest Cocktail Party” is always one of the best games of the season, and after a fantastic game last year at Ever Bank Stadium, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators are sure to have another great tussle this season.

Georgia Bulldogs @ Florida Gators Picks & Info
Georgia Bulldogs @ Florida Gators Date: Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Georgia Bulldogs @ Florida Gators Location: Ever Bank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Georgia Bulldogs @ Florida Gators Spread: Florida Gators pk

The Bulldogs really should have won this game last season after storming back from a 21-10 deficit in the third quarter to force overtime. QB Aaron Murray was just a very young freshman when he came into that game against the Gators, but he came out with some battle scars that made him a significantly better signal caller for the rest of the year. Murray is definitely the real deal and is going to probably have a career that rivals that of the departed Matt Stafford. WR AJ Green is no longer on the roster, but there is no doubt that Murray is going to be the key to a rebuilding bunch of Dawgs.

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Florida 34 – Georgia 31
2009: Florida 41 – Georgia 17
2008: Florida 49 – Georgia 10
2007: Georgia 42 – Florida 30
2006: Florida 21 – Georgia 14
2005: Florida 14 – Georgia 10
2004: Georgia 31 – Florida 24
2003: Florida 16 – Georgia 13
2002: Florida 20 – Georgia 13
2001: Florida 24 – Georgia 10
2000: Florida 34 – Georgia 23
1999: Florida 30 – Georgia 14
1998: Florida 38 – Georgia 7
1997: Georgia 37 – Florida 17
1996: Florida 47 – Georgia 7
1995: Florida 52 – Georgia 17

The Gators are definitely in a rebuilding mode as well this year. Head Coach Will Muschamp is bringing in an entirely new offensive system by using former Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis. This is great news for QB John Brantley, who was lost trying to run the Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow type of offense. The question is whether a very, very young defense is going to be able to stop these Dawgs. We’re not overly optimistic. The good news is that there are two months of the season before this game comes up on the slate, but we’re not so sure that this season is going to really end up going the way of the orange and blue, especially if this game against the Bulldogs is lost after dominating this series for so many years.

Georgia Bulldogs @ Florida Gators @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/16/11):
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Georgia Bulldogs (pk) @ Florida Gators

The “Backyard Brawl” is always one of the biggest games of the season, and this year, it really could be the difference between which one of these teams ends up moving on to the Orange Bowl to play in the BCS. There is a lot of different flavor in this game this year though, as both teams have new head coaches to break in that will be playing in this rivalry for the very first time.

Pittsburgh Panthers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Picks & Info
Pittsburgh Panthers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Date: Friday, November 25th, 2011
Pittsburgh Panthers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Location: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
Pittsburgh Panthers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Spread: West Virginia Mountaineers -4.5

The biggest question for the Panthers is the style of offense that they are going to be running under Head Coach Todd Graham. Graham brought over the majority of his staff from Tulsa in the offseason, but it is clear that QB Tino Sunseri isn’t running the same offense that any of these Tulsa QBs have run in years past. That being said, the pace could be picked up quite a bit, and a team that averaged just 367.1 yards per game could be significantly improved. Watch out for RB Dion Lewis, who could be poised for a huge junior season after a year full of injuries and setbacks as a sophomore.

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: West Virginia 35 – Pittsburgh 10
2009: West Virginia 19 – Pittsburgh 16
2008: Pittsburgh 19 – West Virginia 15
2007: Pittsburgh 13 – West Virginia 9
2006: West Virginia 45 – Pittsburgh 27
2005: West Virginia 45 – Pittsburgh 13
2004: Pittsburgh 16 – West Virginia 13
2003: West Virginia 52 – Pittsburgh 31
2002: West Virginia 24 – Pittsburgh 17
2001: Pittsburgh 23 – West Virginia 13
2000: Pittsburgh 38 – West Virginia 28
1999: West Virginia 52 – Pittsburgh 21
1998: West Virginia 52 – Pittsburgh 14
1997: Pittsburgh 41 – West Virginia 38
1996: West Virginia 34 – Pittsburgh 0
1995: West Virginia 21 – Pittsburgh 0

For WVU, it’s all about the defense. This squad knows that it has the goods to shut down any offense that comes its way; after all, this unit did rank No. 4 in the country last year in scoring (13.5 PPG) and total defense (263.5 YPG). Offensively, the big issue is whether QB Geno Smith is really going to be able to pick up the slack or not. He threw for 2,763 yards last season, which really isn’t good enough for a QB that isn’t all that mobile. However, he only threw seven picks against 24 TDs, three of those scores of which came against U-Pitt last year.

Pittsburgh Panthers @ West Virginia Mountaineers @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/11/11):
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Pittsburgh Panthers (+4.5) @ West Virginia Mountaineers

NASCAR betting fans: We’re back with another fantastic race this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as 43 of the best drivers in the world look to make for great Lenox Industrial Tools 301 picks!

2011 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Odds, Picks & Info
2011 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Date: Sunday, July 17th, 2011
2011 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Green Flag Time: 1:16 ET
2011 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH
2011 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Favorite: Jimmie Johnson (+575)
Defending Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Champion: Jimmie Johnson
2011 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 TV Coverage – Network: TNT

When you look back at the history of most of the races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, you see a lot of the best drivers in the sport, and you see a ton of chalk that is holding up in these outings. That’s why the man of the hour on Sunday afternoon for your NASCAR picks is clearly going to be Jimmie Johnson (Current Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Odds: 5.75 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Johnson is not just the defending champion of this event, but he also won it in 2003 before he busted onto the scene as a five time Sprint Cup champ. This is the time of year that the No. 48 Chevy usually kicks it into high gear, and we tend to believe that last week’s strong run at Kentucky Speedway at the Quaker State 400 is going to be just the bump that Johnson needs to really become the prime contender once again on the odds to win the Sprint Cup.

List Of Past Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Champions (Since 2000)
2010 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2009 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Joey Logano
2008 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Kurt Busch
2007 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Denny Hamlin
2006 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Kyle Busch
2005 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Tony Stewart
2004 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Kurt Busch
2003 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2002 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Ward Burton
2001 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Dale Jarrett
2000 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Winner: Tony Stewart

Things have been awfully disappointing for Denny Hamlin (Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Lines: 6 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) of late. He hasn’t had a Top 10 finish in three straight races, and he hasn’t had a good run on a non-road race since the STP 400 at the outset of June. Still, Hamlin knows what it takes to win here at New Hampshire, having done so in 2007, and he has always run well around this circuit and on the short tracks. In his career, Hamlin has 10 starts in Loudon, accounting for seven Top 10 finishes. He’s got that one win under his belt, and he has an average finishing position of 7.6. With the rest of the Chase for the Championship contenders sneaking up on him, the man in 10th position in the Sprint Cup standings needs a big time boost, and this might be just what the doctor ordered.

Continuing with the theory of the chalk, our third Lenox Industrial Tools 301 pick is going to be on Kyle Busch (Odds to Win the Lenox Industrial Tools 301: 8.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). If you had the two Busch brothers on a duel ticket, you’d have three wins in this race just since 2004. Brother Kurt has already visited Victory Lane in this race twice, but this seems to be the time that Kyle might be able to steal glory. Both of these drivers have been red hot and both would make for great Lenox Industrial Tools 301 predictions, but we’re sticking with the man driving the Toyota to carry us to Victory Lane.

Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/13/11):
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Jimmie Johnson 5.75 to 1
Denny Hamlin 6 to 1
Kevin Harvick 8.50 to 1
Jeff Gordon 8.50 to 1
Kyle Busch 11 to 1
Carl Edwards 11.50 to 1
Tony Stewart 12.50 to 1
Matt Kenseth 20 to 1
Clint Bowyer 20 to 1
Greg Biffle 22 to 1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 22 to 1
Jeff Burton 33 to 1
Ryan Newman 43 to 1
Kasey Kahne 43 to 1
Mark Martin 43 to 1
David Reutimann 43 to 1
Martin Truex Jr. 43 to 1
Jamie McMurray 50 to 1
Joey Logano 50 to 1
Brad Keselowski 50 to 1
Juan Pablo Montoya 50 to 1
David Ragan 55 to 1

Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Odds @ JustBet Sportsbook (as of 7/13/11):
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Denny Hamlin 5.50 to 1
Jimmie Johnson 5.50 to 1
Kevin Harvick 8 to 1
Jeff Gordon 8 to 1
Kyle Busch 8 to 1
Kurt Busch 10 to 1
Carl Edwards 11 to 1
Tony Stewart 11 to 1
Matt Kenseth 18 to 1
Clint Bowyer 18 to 1
Greg Biffle 20 to 1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 20 to 1
Jeff Burton 30 to 1
Ryan Newman 40 to 1
Kasey Kahne 40 to 1
Mark Martin 40 to 1
David Reutimann 40 to 1
Martin Truex Jr. 40 to 1
Jamie McMurray 45 to 1
Joey Logano 45 to 1
Brad Keselowski 45 to 1
Juan Pablo Montoya 45 to 1
David Ragan 50 to 1
Field 25 to 1