Posts Tagged ‘NCAA Football’

Michigan State vs. Wisconsin Predictions, Keys To The Game 12/3/11

December 2nd, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on Michigan State vs. Wisconsin Predictions, Keys To The Game 12/3/11
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The Big 10 Championship Game keys to the game for the duel between the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers are here and ready to go on the eve of the game. These two played an epic battle in East Lansing earlier this year, and we can only hope that we will see the same sort of intensity when these two Big Ten rivals square off with a spot in the Rose Bowl on the line.

Big 10 Championship Game: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans
Big 10 Championship Game Location: Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN
Big 10 Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 3rd, 8:17 p.m. (ET)
Big 10 Championship Game Television Schedule: FOX

Key #1: Russell Wilson has to keep the Badgers two-dimensional
We already know that RBs Montee Ball and James White are going to get their touches and their yards no matter what team the Badgers are playing against, but the passing attack needs to remain a part of the game as well. Wilson had arguably the best year that a Wisconsin quarterback has ever put together. He has thrown for 2,692 yards and 28 TDs against just three INTs, and he has completed 72.7 percent of his passes. In East Lansing earlier this year though, Wilson only threw the ball 21 time against 41 rushes, and the ratio of pass to run cannot be around 1 to 2 for the Badgers to be successful. WR Nick Toon only had two catches on the day, and that just isn’t going to cut it against this MSU defense either. On the other side of the ball, the Spartans are going to try to do everything in their power to keep the Badgers’ passing game off its game once again.

Big 10 Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Wisconsin Badgers -9.5
Michigan State Spartans +9.5
Over/Under 55
Click Here to Bet on Your Big 10 Championship Game Picks!

Key #2: MSU has to avoid shooting itself in the foot
Even though the Spartans won the first go around of these foes, it seems relatively clear that Wisconsin has the more talented team. That being said, there are some key stats to look at from the box score from two months ago that show you how Sparty stuck around and had the chance to win in on the Hail Mary miracle. The team didn’t throw an interception, and it only fumbled the ball twice in the game, losing one. It went a very respectable 8-of-16 on third downs, and it converted its only fourth down attempt. More importantly though, there wasn’t a single accepted penalty on the Spartans the entire game. Though asking for no flags is going to be a bit difficult once again, it’s the dumb penalties like offsides and false starts that MSU really need to avoid to stick around with the Badgers.

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Key #3: Michigan State has to find some other ways to score
Sure, it seems conventional and easy to say that the offense has to really do your scoring for you to win on most given Saturdays, but perhaps Head Coach Mike Dantonio should be thinking a bit differently. His Spartans logged a safety, recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, and got that infamous Hail Mary to WR Keith Nichols on the final play of regulation to win. The Spartans have had a history of coming up with some tricks on special teams that have earned some points, and the team has had a great set of punt returners all year. The one punt return in the first game went for 36 yards and set up a score. The Wisconsin defense is just too good to drive 70-80 yards on more often than not, so the Spartans definitely need to get creative to put points on the board.

Click Here to get the best college football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our Big 10 Championship Game picks and the NCAA football picks for the rest of the games on the Week 14 slate.

2011 ACC Championship Pick, Preview, Odds, & Analysis 12/3/11

December 2nd, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on 2011 ACC Championship Pick, Preview, Odds, & Analysis 12/3/11
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The keys to the game on the ACC Championship odds are plentiful, and here at Bankroll Sports, we are breaking them all down as we work towards our Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies predictions!

ACC Championship Game: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Clemson Tigers
ACC Championship Game Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
ACC Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 4th, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
ACC Championship Game Television Schedule: ESPN, ESPN3.com

Key #1: Virginia Tech has to play with a chip on its shoulder again
Just last week, the Hokies went into Charlottesville against their instate rivals, the Virginia Cavaliers, they were treated with absolutely no respect. V-Tech was only a short favorite in the game, and many were picking the outright upset for the Hoos. Instead of getting upset though, the Hokies prevailed and dominated the game from start to finish. Now, they should have the chip of all chips on their shoulder, as their one loss this season was against none other than this Clemson team, and the loss came at home in Lane Stadium. Head Coach Frank Beamer has always been big about protecting his home field, and you had better believe that he has been drilling into his team all week, and probably all season long, that this is the most important game of the season.

ACC Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Virginia Tech Hokies -7
Clemson Tigers +7
Over/Under 53.5
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Key #2: The Tigers have to keep Virginia Tech from hitting the big play
This is what Clemson really did well the first time that these two teams met. QB Logan Thomas couldn’t get anything going with his legs, as he only ended the day with eight yards on 12 carries, and he just never hit the home run ball to any of his receivers. WR Danny Coale, normally a huge threat, was kept in check, while RB David Wilson really was only able to get his yards four and five yards at a team instead of in huge chunks. As a result, the game ended up being a very short one, which was exactly what the doctor ordered. The 23-3 win for the Tigers was an ugly offensive performance from their standpoint as well, but as long as the defense can keep everything in front of it in this one, the Tigers should be good shape.

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Key #3: Sammy Watkins will be the key to the Clemson offense
Of late, Watkins, one of the top freshmen in the country, has been rather missing in action. He has been dealing with some injuries that have cost him time in the lineup, and when he doesn’t make a big impact on the game, the Tigers struggle offensively. He only had three catches in the first meeting of these conference foes, and that’s a large part of the reason why QB Tajh Boyd completed just 13-of-32 pass attempts. In all likelihood, if Watkins only touches the ball six times on offense for 42 yards as he did a few months ago, the Tigers aren’t going to be able to score and won’t be able to really compete in this game. If Watkins can start to bust some big plays in some respect though, Virginia Tech could be in a tad bit of trouble.

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Southern Mississippi vs. Houston Predictions, Keys To The Game 12/3

December 2nd, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on Southern Mississippi vs. Houston Predictions, Keys To The Game 12/3
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A spot in the BCS will be on the line on Saturday afternoon in the Lone Star State, where the Houston Cougars will look to become an automatic BCS qualifier when they take on the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Check out our Southern Miss vs. Houston keys to the game!

Conference USA Championship Game: Houston Cougars vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Conference USA Championship Game Location: MM Roberts Stadium, Houston, TX
Conference USA Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 3rd, 12:00 p.m. (ET)
Conference USA Championship Game Television Schedule: ABC

Key #1: Southern Miss has to keep Case Keenum off the field
It is brutally clear that Southern Miss cannot sit here in this game and just try to duke it out with the Houston offense. It simply isn’t going to happen. Keenum has not just five, but six years of experience in this offense, and he knows exactly what he is doing. He has 43 TD passes against just three picks on the year, and he just doesn’t make all that many mistakes. The Eagles can score, so don’t think that they have to play this game in the 40s or 50s to be victorious, but they are going to be better served making this as short of a game as possible. The team ranks No. 24 in the land in rushing at 207.8 yards per game, and this is the unit that really needs to step up to keep Houston’s potent offense off of the field.

Conference USA Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Houston Cougars -13.5
Southern Miss Golden Eagles +13.5
Over/Under 72.5
Click Here to Bet on Your Conference USA Championship Game Picks!

Key #2: Keenum can play like a Heisman winner
We have already mentioned some of the remarkable numbers that Keenum has put up this year, as he has those 43 TDs against just three picks. This is one of the rare times that he is going to be playing in a nationally televised game, and though most Conference USA opponents don’t have defenses that are recognized as good enough for some merit, Southern Miss is probably one of the lone exceptions in the conference. Keenum needs 274 yards passing to reach 5,000 yard for the third time in his career, and he is two TD passes away from breaking a career high in that category. He will surely throw the ball at least 35 times in this game, and quite possibly a heck of a lot more than that, and he is averaging 10.1 yards per pass attempt. Simply put, that’s just awesome. There hasn’t been a defense in the country that can stop Keenum when he is on his game, and he has to prove that to be the case again on Saturday, not just for Houston to win this game and cover the number, but to keep his name in the hat for the Heisman Trophy as well.

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Key #3: The Cougars cannot play this game like it is the end of the world if they lose…
… Though the truth of the matter is that it is the end of the world if they lose… Either way, Southern Miss knows that it is going to likely be in the Liberty Bowl against an SEC foe trying to become the second C-USA team to ever win that bowl game (last year, UCF beat Georgia). The Cougars though, have so much on the line, it isn’t even funny. Losing will not only take them out of the BCS all together, but it would drop them to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, a game that would likely cost the school money instead of giving it a seven digit payout. It would also be a killer in recruiting, and goodness knows that Houston needs every recruit it can get after this year to replace Keenum and his tremendous offense. If the Cougars play loose, they’ll be just fine. However, if the pressure starts to mount on them, they could have some serious, serious problems on their hands.

Click Here to get the best college football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our Conference USA Championship Game picks and the NCAA football picks for the rest of the games on the Week 14 slate.

2011 SEC Championship Pick, Preview, Odds, & Analysis 12/3/11

December 2nd, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on 2011 SEC Championship Pick, Preview, Odds, & Analysis 12/3/11
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Our SEC Championship predictions are hot and heavy here at Bankroll Sports, and before we make our college football picks for one of the biggest games of the year, check out these SEC Championship Keys to the Game.

SEC Championship Game: Georgia Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers
SEC Championship Game Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
SEC Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 4th, 4:00 p.m. (ET)
SEC Championship Game Television Schedule: CBS

Key #1: The Dawgs have to stay loose and realize that they have nothing to lose
Head Coach Mark Richt has to know that this is a game in which his team can only win and not be a loser. Even if the Dawgs get blasted by 40, they still are the SEC East champs and still will have a spot in one of the better SEC bowl games this year thanks to this 10 game winning streak that they have gone on since September. LSU is clearly the better team in this game, and no one really believes that UGA can hang around. Richt’s job, which was once considered in some serious jeopardy, is now as safe as could be, and that means that this game is one that would only bolster his status and could give a massive payday to his school with a win.

SEC Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Georgia Bulldogs +13.5
LSU Tigers -13.5
Over/Under 46
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Key #2: LSU can’t be complacent
The Bayou Bengals got off to a bad start last week against the Arkansas Razorbacks at home, falling behind by two touchdowns before finally turning on the jets in the second quarter and never looking back. Common thought is that this game doesn’t mean a heck of a lot to LSU, as it might ultimately be in the National Championship Game one way or the other, but you know that the Mad Hatter isn’t going to let his team get off of the gas pedal for one second. He and his Tigers should know just how dangerous the Bulldogs can be, especially in this building, where they will probably have a bit of a home field advantage. Remember that Georgia has already played one game this year here at the Georgia Dome, so it won’t be an unfamiliar setting.

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Key #3: Aaron Murray absolutely cannot turn the ball over
It’s hard enough to move the ball up and down the field on the LSU defense without turning the ball over, but it becomes impossible to win games when you are giving the ball back to the boys in purple and gold. The Tigers have only turned the ball over a grand total of seven times all season long, so you know that forcing turnovers to get the ball back just isn’t going to happen all that often. Murray has had a great year, throwing for 32 TDs and 2,698 passing yards, and he is just continuing to rewrite the record books for passers in Athens. However, if he doesn’t figure out how to keep the ball in Georgia’s hands during the game and he gets flustered in the pocket, the Bulldogs just don’t stand even the slightest of chances.

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2011 MAC Championship Picks, Preview, Odds, & Analysis

November 30th, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on 2011 MAC Championship Picks, Preview, Odds, & Analysis
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The MAC Championship Game will be contested on Friday night at Ford Field, and we are set to make our Ohio Bobcats vs. Northern Illinois Huskies picks for one of the biggest games on the schedule! Check out the MAC Championship keys to the game!

MAC Championship Game: Ohio Bobcats vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
MAC Championship Game Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
MAC Championship Game Date/Time: Friday, December 2nd, 7:00 p.m. (ET)
MAC Championship Game Television Schedule: ESPN2, ESPN3.com

Key #1: The Bobcats have to put a harness on Harnish
QB Chandler Harnish is one of the most athletic players in the entire country, and he is going to be the one player on the field that the Bobcats truly have to contain. If Harnish gets going with his legs and his arm, this NIU offense is absolutely impossible to stop. Harnish accounted for 2,692 passing yards and 1,351 rushing yards this year, and he has a total of 34 TDs to his credit. He hardly ever turns the ball over either, as he only has five picks on the campaign. The Bobcats have the speed in their front seven on defense to be able to at least keep Harnish under wraps, but the problem is that he can beat you with his arm as well in a big time way, and he isn’t afraid to spread the ball around to a slew of receivers. Ohio only ranked No. 62 in the nation against the pass at 226.7 yards per game.

MAC Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Ohio Bobcats +3.5
Northern Illinois Huskies -3.5
Over/Under 70.5
Click Here to Bet on Your MAC Championship Game Picks!
Key #2: Ohio needs to own the clock
The Huskies make no bones about the fact that they want to run up and down the field to wear down your defense, and that’s exactly what the Bobcats need to avoid. The ground game for Ohio is as good as any in the MAC, averaging 211.7 yards per game. Sure, QB Tyler Tettleton can and will run whenever he gets the chance, but the real key is going to be keeping the ball in the hands of RBs Donte Harden, Ryan Boykin, and Beau Blankenship. These three toted the rock a total of 339 times this season, and they averaged right around five yards per carry in this stretch as well. If they can keep the ball moving on the ground against a rush defense which ranks No. 84 in the nation, the Bobcats are going to be in good shape.

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Key #3: NIU special teams have to at least be remotely special
Though the Huskies do score a slew of points, they have a big time problem on special teams. Kick and punt returning isn’t a problem, but when it comes to the kicking game, there are some issues. P Ryan Neir is only averaging 35.3 yards per punt this year, and his long boot is only 54 yards. Meanwhile, K Mathew Sims has had problems kicking the ball from any sort of distance. He is only 3-of-6 in kicks that are longer than 38 yards on the season, and he hasn’t hit one from further than 44 yards. We tend to think that Ohio’s defense will at least make this sophomore kicking in his first big time game work for his points, and if that turns out to be the case, the Huskies could be in some real trouble.

Oregon Ducks vs. UCLA Bruins Keys To The Game 12/2/11

November 30th, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on Oregon Ducks vs. UCLA Bruins Keys To The Game 12/2/11
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The first annual Pac-12 Championship Game kicks off on Friday night at Autzen Stadium, as the Oregon Ducks vs. UCLA Bruins odds will be contested. The team that makes for great college football picks in this one will end up playing on January 2nd in the Rose Bowl!

Pac-12 Championship Game: UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks
Pac-12 Championship Game Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Pac-12 Championship Game Date/Time: Friday, December 2nd, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Pac-12 Championship Game Television Schedule: FOX Sports

Key #1: UCLA has to show some heart
It goes without saying that the Bruins are the decided underdogs in this game, and everyone is just expecting them to lay down and die on Friday night. This is the last time that Head Coach Rick Neuheisel will get to coach the Bruins, and the team might be brutally disappointed, especially knowing that a bowl game would require a petition to the NCAA if this one is lost. Last week, UCLA just looked like it gave up after the first quarter against the USC Trojans, a game that ended 50-0, and if it isn’t going to show any more intensity than that on Friday, the final score could be a heck of a lot worse than that.

Pac-12 Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
UCLA Bruins +31.5
Oregon Ducks -31.5
Over/Under 66.5
Click Here to Bet on Your Pac-12 Championship Game Picks!
Key #2: LaMichael James needs to play like a Heisman Trophy contender
There is a real chance for James to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this year in spite of the fact that he missed two full games and pieces of others due to injury. He still has 1,427 rushing yards and 15 scores on the campaign, and he has the ability to go for over 200 yards on any team in America. UCLA’s defense ranks No. 81 in the country against the rush, and if that unit doesn’t improve, not only will James get 200+ yards on the ground, but RB Kenjon Barner might be over 100 by the time the day is said and done as well. Head Coach Chip Kelly isn’t shy and has no problem beating a team by 70 points and keeping the starters in for at least the first three quarters regardless of what the scoreboard says. If this really is James’ last home game, expect it to be a special one, as Kelly is going to do everything in his power to make sure that his best player is in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation.

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Key #3: UCLA has to hit the big play
We know that the Ducks are going to have a number of plays that travel at least 30 yards on Friday night, especially at home, but UCLA has to take advantage of its chances as well. Oregon doesn’t have the greatest defense in the world, and just as its offense plays with a lot of spunk, its defense does as well. Sometimes, that leaves the Ducks out of position and prone to the big play. Last week, QB Kevin Prince had his chances to hit players like WR Shaq Evans and WR Nelson Rosario down the field, until the last drive of the game, it just didn’t happen. Neuheisel is surely going to use every last trick that he has in his bag to get his team to Pasadena in shocking fashion, but when those tricks come out, the Bruins have to capitalize.

College Football’s Top 25 Games in 2011: #1 Oregon @ Stanford

November 6th, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in College Football   Comments Off on College Football’s Top 25 Games in 2011: #1 Oregon @ Stanford
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Current Oregon @ Stanford Game Odds Can Be Found Below
2011-12 Top 25 College Football Games of the Year
#1 Oregon Ducks @ Stanford Cardinal

Updated 11/6/11

If last week’s game was the “Game of the Century,” this week’s game can’t be all that far behind. After all, the stakes are virtually as high for the Cardinal and the Ducks. The winner’s hopes of winning the Pac-12 and going to the BCS National Championship Game are still quite intact, and the loser can pack its backs for either the Rose Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl in all likelihood. Both teams are still going to be ranked in the Top 10 when it’s said and done as well. And, much to the contrary of last week’s game, when neither team was able to score a touchdown, even with the aid of overtime, we expect to see plenty of scores in this one down on “The Farm.”

Oregon Ducks @ Stanford Cardinal Picks & Info
Oregon Ducks @ Stanford Cardinal Date: Saturday, November 12th
Oregon Ducks @ Stanford Cardinal Location: Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA
Oregon Ducks @ Stanford Cardinal Spread: Stanford Cardinal -3.5

The Ducks have had their share of problems this year, most notably injuries to both RB LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas. That being said, both are back in the saddle and are ready for this game. Oregon already has 414 points scored this year, and 600 seems to be a formality when it’s all said and done with. This team just does not stop trying to score under any circumstance, regardless of who is out there on the field, and it is that mentality that will keep it going in this game as well. The Quack Attack is only blemished this year by a loss to the LSU Tigers at the outset of the season, a loss that is certainly nothing to be ashamed of now, seeing all of what the Bayou Bengals have accomplished.

Oregon Ducks vs. Stanford Cardinal Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Oregon 52 – Stanford 31
2009: Stanford 51 – Oregon 42
2008: Oregon 35 – Stanford 28
2007: Oregon 55 – Stanford 31
2006: Oregon 48 – Stanford 10
2005: Oregon 44 – Stanford 20
2004: Oregon 16 – Stanford 13
2003: Oregon 35 – Stanford 0
2002: Oregon 41 – Stanford 14
2001: Stanford 49 – Oregon 42
1998: Oregon 63 – Stanford 28
1997: Stanford 58 – Oregon 49
1996: Stanford 27 – Oregon 24
1995: Stanford 28 – Oregon 21

The argument could be made that the only thing that kept the Cardinal out of the National Championship Game last year was a loss to these Ducks at Autzen Stadium, a loss that came after scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter. QB Andrew Luck has bad memories of that one, and he wants to make amends by putting down the U of O once and for all. The Cardinal have done it both through the air and on the ground this year, and the end result has been not just nine wins, but nine covers in nine tries as well. Not bad for a team which was a 41.5 point underdog just four years ago in a conference game at the USC Trojans, eh? A win in this one would essentially lock up a BCS bowl bid for the Cardinal, though they’ll obviously have to finish off the Pac-12 slate and the conference title game to ensure nothing worse than a trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

Oregon Ducks @ Stanford Cardinal Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 11/6/11):
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Oregon Ducks (+3.5) @ Stanford Cardinal