Over the course of the last few weeks, we here at Bankroll Sports have counted down the Top 25 college football matchups. The first 24 games were awfully difficult to be able to place, but there has never been a doubt as to what the top game on the docket would be. The LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide clashes in two absolutely amazing games last year, including in the BCS National Championship Game. Almost a full year later, the two are going to meet again, and they are likely to once again be meeting as two of the top teams in the entire country. Don’t miss what should be the most highly anticipated NCAA football matchup of the season, as we make our LSU vs. Alabama picks for the biggest clash of the year.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers Picks & Info
Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers Spread: LSU Tigers -2.5

We have spoken a ton about Alabama in this countdown of our Top 25 college football games of the year. QB AJ McCarron is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC this year, and he is going to have a great team in front of him once again. Last year, the Tide came into this battle with the Bayou Bengals with a ton of experience. The bad news is that LB Dont’a Hightower and LB Courtney Upshaw are gone, as are a slew of other starters from a campaign ago. The problems in the kicking game clearly haven’t been fixed, and that could come back and really hurt the team this time around as well. Remember that if Head Coach Nick Saban had a solid kicker, the Tide would have ran the table and finished the year with a 14-0 mark, and Alabama would have been known as arguably the best team of all-time. This year, there definitely isn’t that threat that this could be the best team ever, but being a National Championship contender definitely isn’t out of the question. However, losing this game would not just cost the Tide a shot at the title, but once again at the SEC West, too.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers Past Games (Since 1995)
2012: Alabama 21 – LSU 0 (BCS National Championship Game)
2011: LSU 9 – Alabama 6
2010: LSU 24 – Alabama 21
2009: Alabama 24 – LSU 15
2008: Alabama 27 – LSU 21
2007: LSU 41 – Alabama 34
2006: LSU 28 – Alabama 14
2005: LSU 16 – Alabama 13
2004: LSU 26 – Alabama 10
2003: LSU 27 – Alabama 3
2002: Alabama 31 – LSU 0
2001: LSU 35 – Alabama 21
2000: LSU 30 – Alabama 28
1999: Alabama 23 – LSU 17
1998: Alabama 22 – LSU 16
1997: LSU 27 – Alabama 0
1996: Alabama 26 – LSU 0

Meanwhile, LSU was the team that did run the table in the regular season last year, and had it not put forth a total dud in January, it would have been known as the greatest team ever. Once again, this is going to be one of the best defenses in the nation, and that’s in spite of the fact that DB Tyrann Mathieu, last year’s Heisman Trophy finalist and DB Mo Claiborne are gone from the team. Head Coach Les Miles always finds way to replenish his team in a hurry though, and there aren’t all that many years in which t Bayou Bengals aren’t one of the Top 10 teams in the land. QB Zach Mettenberger is going to be the man that has to take over this offense, and he can’t possibly score any fewer touchdowns than QB Jordan Jefferson and QB Jarrett Lee did last year in two starts against the Tide. Look for the big time stable of running backs to try to do it all against Alabama. That was the recipe last year in this game when these two teams met in Tuscaloosa, and it is going to surely be the recipe once again if the Tigers are to roar loudly and get the job done in the biggest game of the season.

Alabama @ LSU Free Picks^^: We know that this is going to be the biggest game of the college football season, and it should live up to that billing. Both of these defenses are going to be excellent once again, and there is just no reason to think that there is going to be anything but a struggle for both offenses no matter how many returners that are on both sides. The two games last year featured a combined 36 points, and though we do think that we are going to see some touchdowns, we know that they are going to be few and far between. In the end, just as LSU was able to go on the road and win this fixture, we think that the Crimson Tide are going to repay the favor in Baton Rouge in the biggest game of the year.

^^Disclaimer: Our college football picks by our sports blog writers are independent of those from our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. All NCAA football odds and lines in our Top 25 are from the month of August, and those lines could and likely will change by the time the game kicks off.

You won’t want to miss our Alabama @ LSU picks when our expert college football handicappers have them posted on the week of 11/3/12.

Last year, the Big Ten ended up featuring five teams ranked in the Top 20 in the country. Two of those teams, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Wisconsin Badgers, were amongst the best, and they were both contenders for the Rose Bowl for most of the year. Of course, we know that it was Wisconsin that ended up going to Pasadena a campaign ago, while Nebraska was left out of all of the action after losing just three conference games. The Badgers are likely to waltz to the Big Ten Championship Game once again this year, but Nebraska is going to have a heck of a road to be able to get there. One of those tough games comes against this Wisconsin outfit, which will come to Lincoln for the first time ever to end the month of September. Join us for our Wisconsin @ Nebraska college football picks for what should be one of the best games of the year in the Big 10, and a game that could legitimately be a preview of what is to come down the road in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Picks & Info
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Date: Saturday, September 29th
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Spread: Nebraska Cornhuskers -3

Those tricky Badgers did well last year to make it to the Rose Bowl, but we also have to remember that Nebraska came to Camp Randall, and the only two losses over the course of the season came against Michigan State and Ohio State. Both games came on the road. In fact, it has been quite some time since Wisconsin has won a legitimate road game of note, and this is going to be the first, and really quite possibly the only big time road test that this team has to face this year. QB Joe Brennan is definitely no Russell Wilson, but at least he is going to have the pleasure of having RB Montee Ball in the backfield to hand the rock to. The Heisman Trophy finalist from a year ago knows that this is the type of game in which he can make himself a lot of money, as he could be a first round draft pick this coming year in the NFL Draft. The defense has six returning starters but is very deep, and this unit will have to really buckle down to be able to shut down the Big Red offense.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: Wisconsin 48 – Nebraska 17

The Cornhuskers are only going to go as far as QB Taylor Martinez takes them. Last year, getting just 17 points on the board in Camp Randall clearly didn’t cut it, especially knowing that he turned the ball over three times and completed just 50.0 percent of his passes in the effort. He is going to have to do a lot better job this year against this defense to have any chance whatsoever of winning this game. The Huskers don’t have a heck of a lot of big time playmakers on defense, but they do have a lot of experience coming back this year with eight returning starters. This unit was embarrassed last year in Madison, allowing 48 points in a game that was a romp from the second quarter on, and Head Coach Bo Pelini knows that this is the type of game that his squad has to win if it wants to contend to go to the Rose Bowl and play for a National Championship.

Wisconsin @ Nebraska Free Picks^^: We are a bit puzzled as to why Nebraska is really favored in this game. We think that it is clear that Wisconsin has the better of the two sides, and with a legitimate chance at the BCS National Championship potentially on the line, the Badgers just aren’t going to relent. Martinez hasn’t proven that he can win big games, as he just hasn’t played well in bowls and isn’t going to be one of the elite quarterbacks in a Big Ten where all of a sudden, quarterback play looks awfully good. Look for Ball to run all over the Nebraska defense in what will turn out to be another great victory for the Badgers.

^^Please Note: The Wisconsin @ Nebraska picks listed above on our sports betting blog are made by our staff writers. These football picks are based upon the betting lines listed in August 2012 and do not reflect the actual expert handicapping picks at Bankroll Sports. Click Here to receive our premium expert handicappers NCAA Football Picks for the 2012 campaign.

You can purchase our premium Wisconsin vs. Nebraska picks from our experts on Saturday, 9/29

The World Baseball Classic might still be a full year away from being complete, but qualifying for the tournament is about set to get started in September. Join us for our first look at the 2013 World Baseball Classic odds and which teams you should be looking out for to claim this illustrious title down the line.

This really is a matter of three teams, one of which is probably going to end up winning the World Baseball Classic. The favorites for the time being is the Dominican Republic (World Baseball Classic Odds: 2 to 1 SportBet Sportsbook). The Dominicans have some outstanding starts on their team, including some powerful outfielders like Jose Bautista and Nelson Cruz. Robinson Cano, Hanley Ramirez, and Jose Reyes will arm the infield, and the pitching staff has some great arms like Johnny Cueto, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Edinson Volquez. It’s not the greatest staff in the world, but in a tournament like this one, this lineup should be able to pick up the slack for what the pitchers might not be good enough to do.

There has only been one team that has been able to win this tournament in the past, and that is Japan (Odds To Win World Baseball Classic: 2.50 to 1 SportBet Sportsbook). The man that has won the MVP Award in the previous two World Baseball Classics, Daisuke Matsuzaka just doesn’t feel like he is going to be able to contribute to his team in 2013. Yu Darvish should be able to carry the load as the main ace of this team. Other major leaguers like Kosuke Fukudome, Ichiro Suzuki, and Kenji Johjima will help the team, but in the end, we always have to remember that a lot of these others players work together in the Japanese league, and that camaraderie is something that cannot be underestimated. There is a reason that baseball is so big in Japan, and that’s why this team is one of the best in the world year in and year out.

Home field advantage will go to the United States (2012 World Baseball Classic Betting Lines: 2.50 to 1 @ SportBet Sportsbook). Of course, the Americans have had the advantage of playing in their own backyard over the course of the last two World Baseball Classics, but they only have one fourth place finish to show for their work. It’s not that this team is void of talent for sure. Just look at some of the names of the men that could start… Brian McCann behind the plate, Evan Longoria at third, Jimmy Rollins at short, Kevin Youkilis at first, Ryan Braun, Adam Dunn, Curtis Granderson, and Shane Victorino in the outfield… and that doesn’t even include a bullpen with Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, Joel Hanrahan, and others that really have the ability to shut the door. The starting pitchers are thin right now, but the options are there for the Americans to be able to put a heck of a lot of players that are aces on this roster if they want to join the team.

There is only one other team that has succeeded in medaling in both of the first two World Baseball Classics. South Korea (World Baseball Classic Futures Lines: 15 to 1 SportBet Sportsbook) is one of the longest shots on the board, and we wonder if this team is going to be able to get the job done again. Just as baseball is big in Japan, it is just as big in South Korea as well. There are a heck of a lot of young players on this team, but there aren’t all that many players that are even thought about as big league players. That doesn’t mean that the squad isn’t going to be able to win once again, and if Japan can do it, so can South Korea.

Odds to Win the 2013 World Baseball Classic @ Sportbet Sportsbook (as of 8/7/12):
(Get a HUGE 100% Bonus at Sportbet.com When Using This Link)
Dominican Republic 2 to 1
Japan 2.50 to 1
United States 2.50 to 1
Chinese Taipei 12 to 1
Cuba 12 to 1
Canada 15 to 1
South Korea 15 to 1
Mexico 18 to 1
Puerto Rico 20 to 1
Venezuela 225 to 1
Panama 35 to 1
Field (Any Other Team) 15 to 1

The LSU Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks play against each other every single season, and they have always have something special on the line. This one is played the day after Thanksgiving every year, and though things are changing in the SEC, at least this SEC West clash isn’t changing. The Hogs and the Bayou Bengals have had some great battles over the years, last year of which was definitely no exception when they were ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the nation. This could be the same sort of game this year, though both of these teams feel like they have taken a step backwards. This clash in Fayetteville could be a great college football matchup, and that’s why this is one of our Top 25 NCAA football games of the year.

LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Picks & Info
LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Date: Friday, November 23rd
LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Location: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Spread: LSU Tigers -3.5

The Tigers know that they are going to have one of the best defenses in the country this year, not that that is all that much of an exception from last year. The ‘D’ really didn’t have a bad game last year at all. In the end, it was the offense that failed LSU in the BCS National Championship Game and cost it the season. Now, both of the top corners from last year are gone, and that could be a bit problematic. We know that the Bayou Bengals might have some issues offensively, too. QB Zach Mettenberger is going to be leading the team on the field to start this season, and odds have it, he’ll still be the man that has to stick around with one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. RB Spencer Ware is going to be carrying the ball a ton, and there are going to be a lot of other backs that see the rock as well.

LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: LSU 41 – Arkansas 17
2010: Arkansas 31 – LSU 23
2009: LSU 33 – Arkansas 30
2008: Arkansas 31 – LSU 30
2007: Arkansas 50 – LSU 48
2006: LSU 31 –Arkansas 26
2005: LSU 19 – Arkansas 17
2004: LSU 43 – Arkansas 14
2003: LSU 55 – Arkansas 24
2002: Arkansas 21 – LSU 20
2001: LSU 41 – Arkansas 38
2000: Arkansas 14 – LSU 3
1999: LSU 35 – Arkansas 10
1998: Arkansas 41 – LSU 14
1997: LSU 31 – Arkansas 21
1996: LSU 17 – Arkansas 7
1995: LSU 28 – Arkansas 0

The Hogs had their chance last year at the BCS National Championship Game, and though they ran through the rest of their schedule to 11 wins without a defeat, they weren’t able to take down either LSU or Alabama, and they quite frankly didn’t come close on either account. This year, the game against the Bayou Bengals is going to be at home, where Arkansas doesn’t lose all that often, and that is going to make this all the more special of a game, especially after last year’s beat down in Baton Rouge. QB Tyler Wilson has to remember what it was like going against the LSU defense, which totally shut him down and held the Razorbacks down to just 17 points, and he has to know that he is going to have to do more than that to win this game this year. His receivers should be fine by the time this one kicks off, unlike the problems that could come early in the year against Alabama. Defensively, the Hogs aren’t going to be allowing 41 points in this game again, and that should make matters all the more palatable for Wilson and this offense as well.

LSU @ Arkansas Free Picks^^: There are a few things that we really have to consider here when we back Arkansas. For starters, this game is in Fayetteville, where the Hogs have won back to back games against the Bayou Bengals. Secondly, and perhaps as important as anything else, if you take away last year’s game, six straight meetings were decided by eight points or fewer, and four of those six were decided by three points or fewer. Needless to say, that means that we are going to want these points on our side, and we think that we are going to have the team that can win this game outright as well.

^^Disclaimer: Our college football picks by our sports blog writers are independent of those from our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. All NCAA football odds and lines in our Top 25 are from the month of August, and those lines could and likely will change by the time the game kicks off.

You won’t want to miss our LSU @ Arkansas picks when our expert college football handicappers have them posted on the week of 11/23/12.

There was a time that the Red River Rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns was one of the most important games of the year. It often determined which team would end up playing in the Big XII Championship Game, and it also usually knocked one of the two teams out of the National Championship picture. Both squads are hoping for a renaissance this year, but once again, it is going to take going through the other to be able to do it. Join us for our Red River Rivalry game preview and picks, as we highlight what should once again be a fantastic Big XII battle.

Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Picks & Info
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Date: Saturday, October 13th
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Location: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, TX
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Spread: Oklahoma Sooners -7

Texas knows that it has to get some better play out of its quarterback position this year if it hopes to win the Red River Shootout. QB David Ash and QB Case McCoy are both trying to become the starter for the Horns this year, though it does feel like Ash has the edge having taken every snap of the Holiday Bowl at the end of last campaign. The rest of this team really feels like a Top 10 team in the country this year. The offensive line returners three starters, and the receivers and running backs are still quite deep. The defense is going to be all over the place as well, as even though former DC Will Muschamp has left for Gainesville, there are still a heck of a lot of holdovers that still have that mean streak and really command a lot of attention.

Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: Oklahoma 55 – Texas 17
2010: Oklahoma 28 – Texas 20
2009: Texas 16 – Oklahoma 13
2008: Texas 45 – Oklahoma 35
2007: Oklahoma 28 – Texas 21
2006: Texas 28 – Oklahoma 10
2005: Texas 45 – Oklahoma 12
2004: Oklahoma 12 – Texas 0
2003: Oklahoma 65 – Texas 13
2002: Oklahoma 35 – Texas 24
2001: Oklahoma 14 – Texas 3
2000: Oklahoma 63 – Texas 14
1999: Texas 38 – Oklahoma 28
1998: Texas 34 – Oklahoma 3
1997: Texas 27 – Oklahoma 24
1996: Oklahoma 30 – Texas 27

Oklahoma could be up for a big time season, knowing that QB Landry Jones is back for his senior season. The offensive line in front of him is going to be awesome as always, and the running back corps should still be solid. Defensively, Head Coach Bob Stoops has had some issues in recent years, but he is hoping that his eight returning starters are able to step up to the challenge and get the job done. The secondary has really been under scrutiny. DB Demontre Hurst is the senior leader of the group, and he is going to be challenged in this game specifically against a great set of Texas wide receivers. In the end though, against a sometimes suspect Texas offense, the OU offense could get the job done by itself as long as Jones ends up not falling on his face.

Texas vs. Oklahoma Free Picks^^: The Sooners have had a strong run of games against the Longhorns in recent years, and we just don’t see how that’s going to be stopping in this one. Oklahoma and Texas are both improved teams, but in the end, it is OU that has the ability to win the National Championship, and this isn’t going to be the game that trips the men in crimson and cream up.

^^Note: These college football picks are independent of the picks of our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. These NCAA football picks are made as of 8/12/12, though we will keep the college football matchup page updated for this clash on the week of the game.

When the Texas vs. Oklahoma odds are on the board on the week of 10/13, we will have our college football picks that you won’t want to miss!