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09/21/2011 - Tucson, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 10th-ranked Oregon Ducks hit the road this weekend for their Pac-12 Conference opener against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson.
Oregon, which reached the BCS National Championship Game a year ago, began the 2011 season with a 40-27 loss to a very good LSU team on a neutral field. Since that disappointing setback, the Ducks have reeled off back-to-back victories, including last week's 56-7 romp over FCS foe Missouri State. They have now scored 125 points the last two games, but it remains to be seen if that level of offensive production will carry into league action.
"You really clean it up as you get into Pac-12 play, with the two new teams in it, the championship game, and it's going to be an exciting season," said Oregon coach Chip Kelly, who understands the importance of playing flawless football in this league opener. "I really don't know how it's going to play itself out. By and large the Pac-12 season opens up next week for everybody, and we got to be ready to go."
The schedule has been brutal for Arizona early on this season, as the team is set to play its third consecutive top-10 opponent. After crushing Northern Arizona to open the campaign, the Wildcats have been beaten soundly by Oklahoma State and Stanford in consecutive weeks. After the loss to Stanford by a 37-10 final last weekend, 'Cats head coach Mike Stoops remained resolute.
"With our team, we have to do things right, and we are doing a lot of good things," said Stoops. "We just got exposed because we are young, but when you play against these types of team, you do get better. That is the bright side we have to focus on."
Oregon owns a 22-14 series lead over Arizona, which includes victories in each of the last three meetings.
The Ducks had their way offensively against Missouri State last week as expected, posting 681 total yards en route to eight touchdowns. The ground attack was lethal, compiling 416 yards on 43 attempts. LaMichael James is one of the nation's top tailbacks, and he raced for 204 yards and three scores. Quarterback Darron Thomas was effective through the air, completing 11-of-15 passes for 206 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Obviously, we feel like we can run the ball, but with Darron back there it allows us to be a balanced football team and make the defense cover the entire field," says Kelly of the offense. "As we develop more depth out of a receiver, and have some people there that people have to take notice too, then I think it's just going to help us as a team."
Through three outings, the Ducks are generating 50.7 ppg and 539.7 total ypg, and 12 of the 19 offensive scores have come through the air. Thomas has thrown 10 touchdowns against only one interception and has completed 62.5 percent of his throws. James has rushed for 325 yards and five scores on just 42 carries, and Lavasier Tuinei paces the receivers with three touchdown receptions.
The Ducks held Missouri State to 289 total yards and one touchdown despite failing to generate a single turnover. Surprisingly, the Oregon defense was on the field for nearly 40 minutes despite limiting Missouri State to 6-of-17 efficiency on third-down conversion attempts. Opponents are scoring 22.3 ppg against Oregon thus far.
Arizona knew it was facing a tough Stanford defense last week and failed miserably in an effort to establish the run, finishing with a mere 51 rushing yards on 23 attempts, an average of just 2.2 yards per tote. That lack of success put added pressure on quarterback Nick Foles and the passing attack. Foles did complete 24-of-33 passes for 239 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, but that effort simply wasn't enough.
"They did exactly what I thought they would do," said Foles. "They were very physical on both sides of the ball. We didn't execute very well on third down and that killed us."
Stanford was able to hold the ball for nearly 36 minutes against Arizona and scored five offensive touchdowns, including three on the ground. The Cardinal were able to rush for 242 yards at a clip of 6.2 yards per carry and averaged a gaudy 16.2 yards per pass completion.
Overall this season, Arizona is generating 21.7 ppg and 419.7 total ypg while yielding 28.0 ppg and 473.3 total ypg. The Wildcats have committed just one turnover so far, but they have also notched a mere two takeaways while posting only three sacks. Foles is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and has completed 75.4 percent of his passes for 1,049 yards and seven touchdowns against zero interceptions. Juron Criner is a star at receiver as well, but the Wildcats are hampered by what has to be considered one of the worst ground attacks in the FBS.
<< Commodores and Gamecocks square off in battle of unbeatens
Columbia, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Having survived yet another scare, the 12th-
ranked South Carolina Gamecocks will take on a surprising group of Vanderbilt
Commodores in Columbia this weekend.
Vanderbilt is undoubtedly feeling good after crus
<< Padres turn to Bass in finale with Rockies
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rookie right-hander Anthony Bass makes the second start of
his career, and first since June, when the San Diego Padres visit Coors Field
to wrap up a three-game series today against the Colorado Rockies.
A 23-year-old, Bas
<< U.S. to face Switzerland in 2012 Davis Cup opener
Bangkok, Thailand (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The all-time titles leader United States
will battle host Switzerland in an opening-round tie next year, as the 2012
Davis Cup World Group draw was announced on Wednesday.
The 32-time champion America
<< Marlins' Vazquez tries to stall Braves' playoff plans
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After getting boosted by a pair of youngsters last night,
the Atlanta Braves are counting on veteran Derek Lowe to get back on track
Wednesday and inch the club closer to a playoff spot.
Atlanta's offense will also have it
Alabama hosts Arkansas in clash of ranked SEC foes >>
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In what promises to be one the toughest
battles of the college football weekend, the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide
welcome the 14th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks to Tuscaloosa for an SEC clash.
Bobby Petrin
Kentucky hosts No. 15 Florida in SEC fray >>
Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 15th-ranked Florida Gators have dominated
the Kentucky Wildcats for the past three decades, and they will attempt to
continue that trend on Saturday night when the SEC foes meet in Lexington.
Will Muscham
No. 2 LSU visits No. 16 West Virginia >>
Morgantown, WV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-ranked LSU Tigers of the SEC and
the 16th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers of the Big East Conference will
collide in what should be a physical battle from Morgantown.
LSU owns the nation's longe
No. 9 Nebraska hits road to battle Wyoming >>
Laramie, WY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hitting the road for the first time this
season, the ninth-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers make their way to Laramie this
weekend to challenge the Wyoming Cowboys in non-conference action at War
Memorial Stadium.
NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
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