Print this articleCollege Football Bowl Picks Ball State vs Tulsa Betting Odds: The Cardinals (12-1) coming into this College Football Bowl Picks matchup. They are coming of there only loss of the season in their last game losing to Buffalo 42-24. Both teams are here under very similar circumstances - bitter losses in Conference Championship games to end the regular season. Ball State's loss to Buffalo should not have come as an absolute shock. With nearly everyone surrounding the program talking about an undefeated season and a potential upgrade to the Bowl assignment, the focus just wasn't there. The College Football Betting Odds & Lines list Tulsa -2.5 favorites to Ball State heading into this College Football Bowl Picks.
Active ImageThe Golden Hurricane (10-3) on the season and are coming off a loss to East Carolina 27-24. Tulsa, which leads the nation with a 579-yard average, was held to season-low 399 yards. Johnson finished with 195 yards on 23-for-42 passing. Its hard to forget last season when Tulsa took on Bowling Green in what was supposed to be a close fought game, and that turned into a 63-7 rout by Tulsa. Tulsa held the SEC's second-leading rusher to 67 yards. My guess is that the SEC is probably more competitive than the MAC, but that may just be me. Now it's clear that the MAC can't play any sort of defense, based on UConn's 358 yards rushing and God knows how many yards Rice put on whatever directional Michigan team they beat. The College Football Betting Odds & Lines list the total in this Ball State vs Tulsa game is set at 74 points.
"It's definitely not all on Dave. We just fell short as a team, as an offense," said running back Tarrion Adams, who had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs in a burst of 17 straight first-half points for Tulsa.
College Football Bowl Picks Ball State vs Tulsa Betting Odds: I don't see Tulsa's defense slowing down Nate Davis enough to win a shootout. Tulsa is one of the nation's worst pass defense units while BSU is a little more formidable on defense. The Best play here is taken the over the total since Tulsa can't stop anyone from scoring. When Tulsa team played as Home team as a Favorite - Last 2 years 9-1 SU in this spot. Over is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 5-2 in Golden Hurricane last 7 non-conference games. source>>>
UFC 92 Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1) vs. Quinton Jackson (28-7-0) Betting Odds: In "UFC 92: The Best of 2008", the world's leading MMA company has managed to put together a dream fight card, which posses something for everyone. Whether you're an old MMA-head or new, UFC 92 has something for you, including a rematch of one of the best (PRIDE) fights you'll ever see in Silva-Jackson II, as well as two stellar UFC title-bouts. This event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 27th 2008, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
Expert MMA odds-makers at SBGglobal.com have posted the best Sports Odds for this upcoming UFC 92 event.
In my opinion, the best fight of the night should be the anticipated match between the Sports Odds favorite, Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva [-125] taking on the underdog, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson [-105].
In PRIDE 28, we witnessed one of the most intense fights in history, as Silva and Jackson faced each other in the finals. It was indeed a bout that will go down in the books as one of the most action-packed, no holds-barred, balls-to-the-wall scrap, ever. It is also one of the few times that Jackson has been battered and beaten unconscious, as he nearly flew off the ring in a dramatic 2nd round KO.
In that historic night in Japan, Jackson was taking a beating, as he stood toe-to-toe with the "Axe Murderer". Both fighters dished out serious punishment in the opening round, but Wanderlei looked stronger and more aggressive. In the culminating stages of that fight, Wanderlei connected with a flush right that stunned Rampage. Silva then moved in for the kill, as very few do it better, connecting with devastating knees (from the Thai-clinch) to Rampage's face and body... indeed a must-see fight.
Four years later, Rampage gets his opportunity to avenge what he would refer to as a serious 'ass whooping'. "Wanderlei is an exciting fighter with awesome skills," Jackson said. "I think this is going to be the fight of the year. Don't miss it... I'm gonna whoop Wanderlei's ass. Back then I thought his standup was better than mine... My standup ain't bad now, I got knockout power on both hands." The former UFC ligh-heavyweight champ concluded by stating that, "On December 27, you're gonna see one of the worse grudge matches in UFC history... I wanna show Wanderlei that, ain't nobody scared of him, and that he's not in PRIDE anymore... This fight is for honor, I'm fighting for my honor." source>>>
College Football Bowl Picks TCU vs Boise State Betting Odds: The Horned Frogs (10-2) are coming off a win over Air Force 44-14 in their last game. QB Andy Dalton was 21/27 for 322 yards and 2 TD's. On the season he has 11 TD's and 4 INT's and has passed for 2046 yards. TCU is a good team, untested but they look good on paper oh wait they were tested... Twice and lost both times... well maybe they are not actually so good? TCU had only five 10-win seasons before Active ImagePatterson was promoted from defensive coordinator in December 2000. The College Football Bowl Betting Odds list TCU -2.5 favorites to Boise State heading into this matchup.
The Broncos (12-0) are coming off a win at home over Fresno State 61-10. The Broncos trailed for only the third time all season early and were up just 13-10 after halftime before Jeremy Avery ran for a 43-yard touchdown three minutes into the third quarter. Over the last six years, the WAC has the third best winning percentage in bowl games of any conference in the nation. The WAC has sent 22 teams to postseason games from 2002-07 and those teams won 54.5 percent of their games with a 12-10 record. WAC teams won one of four bowl games in 2007, three of four games in 2006, one of three games in 2005, two of four games in 2004, three of four in 2003 and two of three in 2002. The College Football Bowl Betting Odds list the total in this TCU vs Boise State game is set at 46.5 points.
"Just goes to show you how stacked this team is," Johnson said, peering from beneath his new white "WAC Champions" cap.
College Football Bowl Picks TCU vs Boise State Betting Odds: Utah barely beat TCU this season so this will be an opportunity to make a statement for the Broncos. TCU has given up 7 points or less to New Mexico, Stephen Austin, SMU, SDSU, Wyoming & Colorado St. Other than BYU and Oklahoma, almost all of TCU's opponents have been offensively challenged. Bosie ranks 12th in defense nationally.........6 of the 12 teams they faced they allowed 7 or fewer points with two shutouts.........of the other 6 teams that scored more than 7..........4 teams were held to 16 or fewer points. Although Boise State has excellent numbers on defense, TCU has incredible numbers on defense with the top ranked run defense in the nation while allowing fewer than eleven points per game and only 215 yards per game. College Football Bowl Trends and angles: Horned Frogs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on grass. Horned Frogs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in December. Under is 4-0 in Broncos last 4 vs. MWC. Under is 4-0-1 in Horned Frogs last 5 Bowl games source>>>
- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is well aware that his team is getting a reputation for fading down the stretch.
He hopes the Gamecocks can buck that trend by beating an Iowa squad that's surging into the postseason.
Bet the 2009 Outback Bowl
The Gamecocks look to avoid their third straight defeat and end what could go down as another late-season collapse Jan. 1 in the Outback Bowl against the Hawkeyes, who have ridden running back Shonn Greene and one of the nation's best defenses to five wins in their last six games.
Oddsmakers from Online Sportsbook Sports Interaction have made Iowa -3.5 point spread favorites for the Outback Bowl against South Carolina. Current College Fooball Public Betting Information shows that 70% of more than 1,851 bets for this game have been placed on the Iowa -3.5.
South Carolina (7-5) became bowl eligible with six wins in a span of seven games from Sept. 20-Nov. 8 before closing the regular season with back-to-back losses. The Gamecocks were routed 56-6 by Florida on Nov. 15 - the worst loss of Spurrier's illustrious career - before falling 31-14 to Clemson on Nov. 29.
That was Spurrier's third loss in four games against archrival Clemson since taking over at South Carolina, and it was the third time in his four seasons that the Gamecocks have faded down the stretch.
They dropped their last two games in 2005, including an Independence Bowl loss to Missouri, and finished 2007 on a five-game losing streak that kept them out of the postseason.
Spurrier was vocal with his criticism of his players over the last several weeks of this season, particularly after the finale, during which he benched star tight end Jared Cook in the second half for lack of effort.
"We are 7-5 and it is what it is," Spurrier said after that game. "We will try our best to represent South Carolina better (in the bowl game) than we have these past two games."
After learning that his team would be headed to Tampa, Spurrier said he'd try a more relaxed approach in preparation for the bowl game.
"We are going to try to be a little bit more positive. Maybe, I've been a little negative at times," he said. "... We are going to try our best to regroup with our team. We are going to try and be encouraging and positive and try to get our confidence back here between now and game time."
Senior receiver Kenny McKinley is anxious for the opportunity to end the season on a high note, something South Carolina has accomplished just once in the last six years - a win over Houston in the 2006 Liberty Bowl.
"We lost our last two games," McKinley said. "A win could salvage our season."
The Hawkeyes (8-4) are coming into this game with a completely different attitude, having overcome a three-game losing streak with five wins in their last six games, including 24-23 over then-No. 3 Penn State in their only game against a ranked opponent this season.
"It was a lot of fun," coach Kirk Ferentz said after Iowa capped its late-season surge with a 55-0 rout of Minnesota on Nov. 22. "It didn't start out easy. Credit goes to our players. They hung in there and in the end a lot of good things happened."
Many of those good things were accomplished by Greene, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award winner as the nation's best running back.
The 5-foot-11, 235-pounder ran for 206 yards in 10 games in 2006 and sat out last season because he didn't meet academic standards, then returned to set a school record with 1,729 rushing yards this season. He was the only Football Bowl Subdivision back to rush for at least 100 yards in every game.
Greene's success helped Iowa rank second in the Big Ten with 30.3 points per game while recording its highest win total since going 10-2 in 2004. The Hawkeyes combined for a 12-13 record over the previous two seasons and didn't get a bowl invitation despite being eligible in 2007, their first time without a postseason appearance since 2000. Ferentz said that adds extra significance to this year's bowl.
"It's like a player missing a year," he said. "I think they appreciate their opportunities a little more. Certainly for us to be back and playing in a great bowl, that's going to make it that much better for us, so we're thrilled."
While Greene led a much-improved offense, the Hawkeyes may have been even more impressive on the other side of the ball. They held opponents to 13.3 points and 289.5 yards per game, ranking eighth and 12th in the FBS, respectively.
The defense gave up nine points or fewer five times, and kept Iowa in each game it played - the Hawkeyes' four losses were by a combined 12 points.
The Gamecocks also held their own defensively, ranking 11th in the FBS with 288.9 yards allowed per game, including 160.3 in the air - the third-best pass defense in the nation.
That should provide a challenge for Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who threw for 987 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in the Hawkeyes' last six games after starting the season in a backup role.
South Carolina will also turn to a former backup under center in freshman Stephen Garcia, who was named the starter for the bowl game after Chris Smelley threw four interceptions - all of which led to touchdowns - in the regular-season finale.
In seven games this season, Garcia was 56-for-104 for 753 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
"I'm really excited about it," said Garcia, a native of nearby Lutz, Fla. "It's a big opportunity for me as a quarterback and for the team in general."
This will be the third appearance for both teams in the Outback Bowl, where the Hawkeyes are 1-1 and the Gamecocks are 2-0. Iowa and South Carolina are meeting for the first time.
Outback Bowl Key Player Injuries:
IOWA
[OG] Andy Kuempel is "?" - Shoulder - 12/08/08
[OL] Dace Richardson is expected to miss entire season - Knee - 08/07/08
[S] Harold Dalton is out indefinitely - Suspension - 11/03/08
S CAROLINA
[OG] Heath Batchelor has been suspended indefinitely. - Disciplinary - 10/
[OL] Lemuel Jeanpierre out for the rest of the season - Knee - 11/02/08
[RB] Eric Baker is doubtful - Ankle - 12/11/08 source>>>
- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is well aware that his team is getting a reputation for fading down the stretch.
He hopes the Gamecocks can buck that trend by beating an Iowa squad that's surging into the postseason.
Bet the 2009 Outback Bowl
The Gamecocks look to avoid their third straight defeat and end what could go down as another late-season collapse Jan. 1 in the Outback Bowl against the Hawkeyes, who have ridden running back Shonn Greene and one of the nation's best defenses to five wins in their last six games.
Oddsmakers from Online Sportsbook Sports Interaction have made Iowa -3.5 point spread favorites for the Outback Bowl against South Carolina. Current College Fooball Public Betting Information shows that 70% of more than 1,851 bets for this game have been placed on the Iowa -3.5.
South Carolina (7-5) became bowl eligible with six wins in a span of seven games from Sept. 20-Nov. 8 before closing the regular season with back-to-back losses. The Gamecocks were routed 56-6 by Florida on Nov. 15 - the worst loss of Spurrier's illustrious career - before falling 31-14 to Clemson on Nov. 29.
That was Spurrier's third loss in four games against archrival Clemson since taking over at South Carolina, and it was the third time in his four seasons that the Gamecocks have faded down the stretch.
They dropped their last two games in 2005, including an Independence Bowl loss to Missouri, and finished 2007 on a five-game losing streak that kept them out of the postseason.
Spurrier was vocal with his criticism of his players over the last several weeks of this season, particularly after the finale, during which he benched star tight end Jared Cook in the second half for lack of effort.
"We are 7-5 and it is what it is," Spurrier said after that game. "We will try our best to represent South Carolina better (in the bowl game) than we have these past two games."
After learning that his team would be headed to Tampa, Spurrier said he'd try a more relaxed approach in preparation for the bowl game.
"We are going to try to be a little bit more positive. Maybe, I've been a little negative at times," he said. "... We are going to try our best to regroup with our team. We are going to try and be encouraging and positive and try to get our confidence back here between now and game time."
Senior receiver Kenny McKinley is anxious for the opportunity to end the season on a high note, something South Carolina has accomplished just once in the last six years - a win over Houston in the 2006 Liberty Bowl.
"We lost our last two games," McKinley said. "A win could salvage our season."
The Hawkeyes (8-4) are coming into this game with a completely different attitude, having overcome a three-game losing streak with five wins in their last six games, including 24-23 over then-No. 3 Penn State in their only game against a ranked opponent this season.
"It was a lot of fun," coach Kirk Ferentz said after Iowa capped its late-season surge with a 55-0 rout of Minnesota on Nov. 22. "It didn't start out easy. Credit goes to our players. They hung in there and in the end a lot of good things happened."
Many of those good things were accomplished by Greene, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award winner as the nation's best running back.
The 5-foot-11, 235-pounder ran for 206 yards in 10 games in 2006 and sat out last season because he didn't meet academic standards, then returned to set a school record with 1,729 rushing yards this season. He was the only Football Bowl Subdivision back to rush for at least 100 yards in every game.
Greene's success helped Iowa rank second in the Big Ten with 30.3 points per game while recording its highest win total since going 10-2 in 2004. The Hawkeyes combined for a 12-13 record over the previous two seasons and didn't get a bowl invitation despite being eligible in 2007, their first time without a postseason appearance since 2000. Ferentz said that adds extra significance to this year's bowl.
"It's like a player missing a year," he said. "I think they appreciate their opportunities a little more. Certainly for us to be back and playing in a great bowl, that's going to make it that much better for us, so we're thrilled."
While Greene led a much-improved offense, the Hawkeyes may have been even more impressive on the other side of the ball. They held opponents to 13.3 points and 289.5 yards per game, ranking eighth and 12th in the FBS, respectively.
The defense gave up nine points or fewer five times, and kept Iowa in each game it played - the Hawkeyes' four losses were by a combined 12 points.
The Gamecocks also held their own defensively, ranking 11th in the FBS with 288.9 yards allowed per game, including 160.3 in the air - the third-best pass defense in the nation.
That should provide a challenge for Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who threw for 987 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in the Hawkeyes' last six games after starting the season in a backup role.
South Carolina will also turn to a former backup under center in freshman Stephen Garcia, who was named the starter for the bowl game after Chris Smelley threw four interceptions - all of which led to touchdowns - in the regular-season finale.
In seven games this season, Garcia was 56-for-104 for 753 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
"I'm really excited about it," said Garcia, a native of nearby Lutz, Fla. "It's a big opportunity for me as a quarterback and for the team in general."
This will be the third appearance for both teams in the Outback Bowl, where the Hawkeyes are 1-1 and the Gamecocks are 2-0. Iowa and South Carolina are meeting for the first time.
Outback Bowl Key Player Injuries:
IOWA
[OG] Andy Kuempel is "?" - Shoulder - 12/08/08
[OL] Dace Richardson is expected to miss entire season - Knee - 08/07/08
[S] Harold Dalton is out indefinitely - Suspension - 11/03/08
S CAROLINA
[OG] Heath Batchelor has been suspended indefinitely. - Disciplinary - 10/
[OL] Lemuel Jeanpierre out for the rest of the season - Knee - 11/02/08
[RB] Eric Baker is doubtful - Ankle - 12/11/08 source>>>
The college football bowl season kicks off this Saturday, December 20th with four games and concludes on January 8th with the BCS National Championship Game in Miami, Florida. In all, there are 34 bowl games and online bookmaker Sportsbook.com has all the college football bowl predictions 2009, including the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Oregon Ducks (+3, O/U 76.5): College Football Bowl Predictions 2009
The Holiday Bowl will be played on December 30th at 8:00pm ET at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA (ESPN). The Cowboys of Oklahoma State finished fourth in the Big 12's South division with a 9-3 record and a 5-3 conference mark. The Pokes started the season by winning their first seven games but lost three of their last five, including their regular season finale against Oklahoma. Oklahoma State, who is averaging 41.6 points per game, is ranked 13th in both the AP poll and the BCS standings.
Oregon, also 9-3, finished in second place in the PAC 10 behind Southern California with a 7-2 conference record. The Ducks concluded their regular season by smashing in-state rival Oregon State 65-38. The resounding defeat of the Beavers was Oregon's fifth win in their last six games. The Ducks high powered attack produced a 41.9 point per game average and a 17th ranking in the BCS standings.
Chick-fil-A Bowl: LSU Tigers vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-4, O/U 50): College Football Bowl Predictions 2009
The Chick-fil-A Bowl is scheduled for December 31st at 7:30pm ET and will be played in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome (ESPN). LSU suffered through a down season, finishing just 7-5 and in third place in the SEC's West division with a 3-5 conference record. The Tigers lost their last two games and three of their last four contests. Les Miles team is currently unranked and has allowed an average of 25.9 points per game this season.
The Yellow Jackets had a strong 9-3 campaign, finishing in second place in the ACC's Coastal division (5-3 conference mark). Georgia Tech concluded the season by beating 23rd ranked Miami and 11th ranked Georgia. Tech, which averages 282.3 yards per game on the ground, is ranked 14th in the AP poll and the BCS standings.
Guaranteed Winning Football Picks for all Bowl Games: Looking for guaranteed Bowl Game picks for your BCS ranked teams? OnlineSportsHandicapping.com expert handicappers are ready to cash in on their College Bowl Game predictions.The College Bowl game series gets underway on Dec 23rd so look for the expert Bowl picks for all Bowl Games from the online sports handicappers at OnlineSportsHandicapping.com.
An anticipated Poinsettia Bowl game matchup puts (9) Boise State vs TCU (11), one of five college bowl games and the only college football non-BCS picks matchup on tap for all bowl games. Both of these teams are both amazing with plenty to risk playing each other.
Looking back, the Boise State's Ellis Powers finished up the regular season with ALL-WAC linebacker sats. Powers wrapped up the season with two fumble returns for TD's, 71 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. "I'm especially happy for Ellis," stated junior Kyle Wilson, who made the first team as a cornerback and the second team as a punt returner. "He climbed one of the biggest mountains in his career and everything's starting to fall in his favor." Bowl game bettors should make sure they work Ellis Powers into their college bowl game picks.
For the TCU team it's their first shot at a bowl game. "I totally think TCU is a BCS team and most of the people who know about TCU think the same," stated Petersen. "This is the best team we will have played all year. It will present a tremendous challenge to us without question."
The TCU Horned Frogs have made 10 bowl games in the past 11 years and have walked a way with three in a row. Unfortunetly for the TCU team their last bowl game loss was to Boise State 34-31 in the Fort Worth Bowl in 2003. The Horned Frogs did play two years ago in the Poinsettia Bowl, beating Northern Illinois 37-7. source>>>
The New England Patriots host the New York Jets on the NFL Network Thursday night in a battle for first place in the AFC East. The Patriots earned a big division win last Sunday over the Buffalo Bills to keep pace with the Jets in the division. While they dominated the Bills, there was more bad news as two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas went down with an arm injury and will likely miss the rest of the season. Even without him, odds makers have listed the Patriots as 3-point favorites with the total set at 42.
Thomas was the Patriots team leader with five sacks and joins the likes of Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney and Rodney Harrison of star players to go down for New England this season. New England has been able to get the job done in spite of the injury problems and it was evident last week when they outgained Buffalo 370-168 en route to a double digit win. QB Matt Cassel continued to fill in adequately for Brady, completing 23 of 34 passes for 234 yards and helping the offense control the football for nearly 38 minutes last week. New England has now won three of its last four games to put itself in position to win its sixth straight AFC East title. Cassel has been getting lots of credit for his work in filling in for Brady but the play of BenJarvus Green-Ellis also deserves to be praised. Injuries to Maroney, Sammy Morris, and LaMont Jordan have opened the door for Green-Ellis to take over the starting role and he has made the most of his opportunity. Green-Ellis carried 26 times for 105 yards and a touchdown last Sunday. Not too bad for an undrafted player who began the year on the practice squad. If you think New England can continue to persevere, bet the Patriots at -3 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% sign up bonus.
The New York Jets are coming off their most lopsided win in franchise history, beating the St. Louis Rams 47-3 last Sunday. This game against New York's bitter division rival promises to be a much tougher contest. One key to New York's success will be getting running back Thomas Jones on track. Jones gained 149 yards and had three touchdowns last week. New York it saying they want to win now in every way possible. The Jets just signed five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law, a 10-year veteran with the Patriots, on Monday to bolster the defensive backfield and to put even more fuel in the fire of this rivalry.
As if this rivalry wasn't bitter enough, Jets coach Eric Mangini, former assistant to Bill Belichick, ratted out the Patriots for videotaping signals last season and Spygate was born. The Jets have already lost to New England this season, a 19-10 defeat in Week 2, and they know it's time to start evening the score. The Jets have lost 13 of the last 16 meetings in this series. The Jets have gone 5-2 since that loss and have won three in a row as QB Brett Favre gets more and more comfortable with the offense. New York has emerged as one of the most potent offensive teams in the league, leading the AFC with 255 points and averaging 32.1 points per game over its last seven contests. Brett Favre was a very efficient 14 of 19 for 167 yards and a touchdown against the Rams but he will be called on to hoist it up a lot more in this one. If the Jets are able to pull off the win, they will post their first four-game winning streak since 2004. If you think New York is primed and ready to get its revenge over the Patriots, bet the Jets at +3 at BetUS. source>>>
Revenue at Atlantic City's eleven casinos dropped by 9.9 percent to $346.2 million in October from a year ago as the national economic downturn deepened the gambling industry's woes, officials said on Monday.
The decline follows a 15.1 percent plunge in September, the biggest overall fall in gaming revenues in the 30-year history of New Jersey's gambling capital, according to the state's Casino Control Commission.
"Win," or revenue, from slot machines was $235.9 million while that from table games was $110.3 million.
For the first 10 months of 2008, revenue dropped by 6.6 percent from a year earlier; revenue from slots fell 8.6 percent and dropped 2 percent from table gaming.
The latest monthly revenue compares with a historic high of $427.9 million in October 2005.
Across the U.S., the gambling industry is facing a wave of losses or bankruptcies as it struggles to overcome lower spending by casino clients.
On Nov. 7, Trump Entertainment posted a third-quarter loss of $139.1 million, or $4.39 per share compared with a profit of $6.6 million, or 21 cents a share in the year-ago period. Shares in Las Vegas Sands, which last year opened the world's largest casino in Macau, halved in value last week after its auditor expressed doubts about its financial health. Tropicana Entertainment has filed for bankruptcy in the last year.
Carlos Tolosa, president of the eastern division of the Harrah's casino chain, with four casinos in Atlantic City, said the decline, though less dramatic than September's, did not represent any significant improvement.
"These are dismal numbers," Tolosa told reporters. "I think we are in for some tough times ahead."
Harrah's, the world's biggest gaming operator with seven Las Vegas casinos, last week reported a third-quarter net loss of $129.7 million compared with a profit of $244.4 million a year earlier.
Tolosa blamed the slowing economy and competition from slots parlors in nearby Pennsylvania for the latest revenue drop.
He said performance was further damaged by the state's implementation of a complete smoking ban in the second half of October. Revenue from slot machines was down 12 percent in the first half, deepening to 20 percent in the second half of the month, he said.
As reported by the Tuscaloosa News: "A state senator who blocked legislation to change the rules for bingo in Greene County and had spoken out against gambling's influence in Alabama, is now the attorney for a group planning to open a gambling hall that would compete with nearby Greenetrack.
"Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, is the legal counsel for the Eatman School Alumni Association, which announced in September that it had obtained a bingo license from the Greene County sheriff.
"Alumni association president James Morrow said the group hopes other non-profit groups will join them to establish a new Greene County bingo parlor.
"Morrow said he's most interested in opening on the site adjacent to the Cotton Patch restaurant, where construction has begun on a new building on the 30-plus acres of land now owned by Sidetrack, LLC.
"...Sanders broke with Senate protocol earlier this year by blocking a bill that would have changed the rules for bingo in Greene County. Ordinarily, legislators do not interfere with local bills outside their district if the local legislative delegation is united..." source>>>
A senior congressional Democrat on Monday accused the Bush administration of rushing to implement Internet gambling rules that have raised concerns among banks before it leaves office on January 20.
"I am deeply disappointed to hear that your agency is proceeding with what I consider to be unseemly haste in issuing regulations implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act," House Financial Committee Chairman Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
"This midnight rulemaking will tie the hands of the new Administration, burden the financial services industry at a time of economic crisis, and contradict the stated intent of the Financial Services Committee," Frank said.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve are required to issue new rules on Internet gambling under a bill Congress passed 2006, when Republicans were still in control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
That bill, which cost EU Internet gambling companies billions of euro in lost market value, prohibited companies from accepting payments in connection with "unlawful Internet gambling."
But rather than define what types of gambling are illegal online, the bill relied on existing Federal and state laws to answer that question. It also still allowed any online horserace betting permissible under the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978.
That has caused confusion and at a hearing in April both Treasury and Federal Reserve officials told Frank's committee they were "struggling" to determine what type of online gambling was illegal under the bill.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the largest U.S. mortgage-finance companies, will accelerate anti- foreclosure efforts with a new loan modification program designed to cut monthly payments for struggling homeowners.
Fannie and Freddie, operating under a government conservatorship, will target loans in which borrowers are at least 90 days delinquent and have high loan-to-income ratios, officials from the Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency said today at a press conference in Washington. The companies may offer reduced interest rates and longer terms of as much as 40 years to trim monthly payments.
``With such broad adoption, this new protocol will be a standard for the industry to quickly move homeowners into long- term sustainable mortgages,'' Neel Kashkari, the Treasury's interim assistant secretary, said in a prepared statement.
The initiative expands efforts by the Hope Now Alliance, a group of investors, advocacy groups, and mortgage lenders and servicers such as Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson helped create last year. The success rate for ``curing'' delinquent loans by modifying their loan terms similar to the latest program was about 50 percent for both prime and subprime borrowers with damaged credit, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.
``We realize a number of these can't be saved because of the borrower's situation,'' said MBA Chief Economist Jay Brinkmann. ``But if we can save half of them, that's a good result.''
California, Florida and other high-cost real estate markets where borrowers have larger debt loads or nontraditional mortgages will likely reap the most from the program, he said.
A Central Role
Paulson has called housing recovery central to the economy's revival and urged Fannie and Freddie to play a bigger role.
TCU vs Utah College Football Picks: The Horned Frogs are (9-1) off a road win 44-14 over UNLV. They are ranked #12 in the polls. QB Andy Dalton was 16/29 for 151 yards and 3 TD's. On the season he has thrown 9 TD's and just 2 INT's. This game depends 100% on which Utah team comes out to play and if they come out to play the entire game. If they play like they did the week before the bye week, you can say good bye to TCU. Otherwise, Utah will be going to Las Vegas. The sports odds posted by the oddsmakers at Sbgglobal.com currently list TCU -2.5 favorites to Utah heading into this matchup.
Active Image"That was a big win for us, especially on the road," Dalton said. "When they asked me to run, I was able to do what I could. We were able to score points. Now we can focus on the next game. Coach kept mentioning we had to play UNLV first. We have to keep our focus. We were able to run the ball. Our defense played great."
The Utes (9-0) are ranked #8 polls. They are off a close win last week 13-10 over New Mexico, you can say that were looking a head to this game. They struggled much of the night on offense, the Utes came into the game averaging a conference best 39 points a game but the defense made up for it with key stops. This will be the game of the MWC season. I Like Utah's chances because it's a home game in front of a sold out crowd, but TCU is obviously a very good football team. If Utah wins its very likely that they will run the table and get a BCS bowl. Their only big threat besides this game is the game coming up in a couple weeks against BYU. It would be interesting to see where a MWC team with one loss to a top 5 team lands in the bowl picture. The online sports betting odds at Sbgglobal.com has the OVER/UNDER in this TCU vs Utah game is set at 43 points.
No. 17(BCS) Ball State Cardinals vs. Northern Illinois Huskies highlight Wednesday college football betting action: College football gamblers who can't get enough play should be delighted to learn Wednesday night is full of action with two nationally televised games from the MAC.
Ball State, at 8-0 has climbed to No. 17 in the current BCS poll, will face a tough test when they host the Northern Illinois Huskies at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com favor the Cardinals by a 9-point chalk with a 47 1/2 total.
The other game, also at 7 p.m., has Toledo travelling to play the Akron Zips on ESPNU. Sportsbook.com oddsmakers have installed Akron as a -6 1/2 point favorite with a 54 1/2 total. The Rockets have dominated the series of late winning six straight.
There are interesting scenarios leading up to both games. Ball State is among the mix of schools from non-BCS leagues vying to break into the BCS mix. The MAC has been behind the curve in teams getting national attention like WAC, Mountain West and C-USA.
Ball State must keep winning and in impressive fashion to keep pace with the other ranked prospective BCS-busters, Utah, Boise State and TCU, all ranked above the Cardinals. Ball State needs those schools to loose creating room to move up. Wednesday's game presents a great opportunity for Ball State to get some much needed national attention. A Ball State loss would end its BCS hopes but the school would still have a chance to win a MAC championship.
Akron needs a win over Toledo to keep pace with Buffalo in the MAC East-Division standings where the Zips and Bulls are knotted in first place. Tuesday night Buffalo went up one game in the win column after defeating Miami (Ohio). The Zips are likely to face an emotional Rockets team who take the field after learning head coach Tom Astutz will step down as head coach at the end of the season. source>>>
The biggest college football matchup of the season for teams outside BCS conferences takes place on Saturday as the #8 Utah Utes (9-0) host the #12 TCU Horned Frogs (9-1) at 8:00pm EST on CBS.
Odds makers at SBGGlobal have TCU -2 point favorites on the road in college football odds against Utah. Only one team outside of the BCS is guaranteed a spot in the BCS bowl games if they are in the top 12 in the country so the loser of this game is out.
"You always want to play in the big arena," TCU coach Gary Patterson said.
"Utah is a good football team - lot better at home. We've got a lot of work to do. We have to get everyone healed up and ready to go."
Utah has won nine straight games at home in college football betting. They have two games left after Thursday's matchup with TCU. They go to San Diego State and then host BYU. The Horned Frogs play only one more game in the regular season as they are home against Air Force.
Vegas odds at the MGM Mirage sportsbook have TCU -1.5 point favorites in college football betting odds.
Thursday's game on the college football schedule between TCU and Utah could be low scoring considering TCU is third in the country in scoring defense and second in total defense. TCU's only loss of the season came against Oklahoma and since that loss they have won their next five games by an average of 28.4 points per game.
TCU has lost four of its last five meetings with Utah. If you want to bet TCU as -2 point favorites in college football odds against Utah then visit SBG Global.
TCU Horned Frogs at Utah Utes Betting Stats
The Horned Frogs are 7-1 ATS in college football odds for their last 8 games in November. The Horned Frogs are 8-2 ATS in college football odds for their last 10 games overall. The Horned Frogs are 22-8-1 ATS in college football odds for their last 31 conference games. The Horned Frogs are 13-6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Utes are 6-2 ATS in college football odds for their last 8 games in November. The Utes are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 conference games. The Utes are 1-4 ATS in college football odds for their last 5 Thursday games.
The Under is 4-1 in college football betting for the Horned Frogs last 5 Thursday games. The Over is 6-2 in the Horned Frogs last 8 games in November. The Over is 8-1 in college football betting for the Utes last 9 games overall.
The Over is 4-1 in college football betting for the Utes last 5 conference games. The Over is 22-8 in the Utes last 30 home games. The Over is 9-4 in college football betting for the Utes last 13 games in November. source>>>
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Leafs Don't Stand A Chance in Hell
The Leafs dropped a game to the unearthly bad Tampa Bay Lightning last night. What does that mean? That they're just as hopeless, if not worse. The Devils are coming off back-to-back losses to a scrappy Flyers squad. When Toronto visits New Jersey tonight, they will try to reverse the 1-4 SU record they have against the Devils in their last 5 games.
Toronto has gone 8-4 SU in their last 12 games on the road, but have been utterly hopeless against the Devils in the past. There is a very slim chance that they squeeze by so lobbying for them as a massive road dog may be tempting, but the Devils are 6-3-0-1 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Blue Leafs. Side on the smart side of life when the Leafs get burned at the Devils' house.
NHL Free Pick: New Jersey -210 (UNDER)
Wild To Strike Stars At Right Time
The Minnesota Wild have yet to lose in regulation, going 6-0-1 SU this season. Dallas, while they will end up being a contender by season's end, is not who you think they are. Dallas has gone 3-7 SU in their last 10 games and have stumbled at home going 1-4 SU in their past 5 home stands.
Minnesota has thundered to a 6-1 SU record in their past 7 games and is the type of power skating team that can slice through Dallas's vaunted team defense. AS good as you think Turco and the Stars' defense can be, they're still allowing 4.22 goals against on 26.44 shots against. That means that quality shots are getting to Marty Turco, and he's not doing an ample job
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The restructuring of state lottery ticket sales for 2009 will scratch mom-and-pop stores throughout Michigan that rely on selling instant tickets to help bring customers in, state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer [shown] said today.
Elsenheimer has appealed to the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery and Governor Jennifer Granholm to reconsider a new policy that requires retailers to sell both online lottery tickets through the terminal and scratch-off instant tickets.
The 105th District lawmaker has heard from store owners who are anticipating the loss of crucial revenue when the state puts them out of the instant ticket sales business in January.
"Once again, our state leaders have been saying one thing while their policy decisions do another," said Elsenheimer, of Kewadin. "It's hypocritical to talk about the need to support business in Michigan and create jobs, but then take away what real people are relying on for their livelihoods.
"The economy is making it tough enough for hard-working residents to bring home a paycheck that covers the bills, they don't need additional burdens or obstacles tossed at them by their government."
After January 31, 2009, only businesses with terminal lottery ticket sales will be eligible to also sell instant scratch-off tickets.
That means small businesses that just sold and relied upon on instant scratch-off tickets can no longer sell tickets.
They have to now sell the state-wide terminal lottery tickets and meet a certain sale quota each week.
The lottery bureau is upgrading its equipment and network system and is basing its retailer eligibility qualifications on sales level minimums.
Those businesses meeting the minimum amount will receive a lottery terminal for a one-time $550 communications fee.
Businesses with low sales that aren't eligible for a lottery terminal will have their lottery license revoked.
"The lottery was implemented in Michigan to help fund our public school system," Elsenheimer said. "By decreasing the sales outlets, this policy hurts not only local businesses and their customers, but also the education of our children. I hope the governor and lottery officials will take that into account and reconsider their decision." source>>>
Two teams battling for the top of the ACC get together on Saturday for college football betting at 3:30pm EST on ABC as Georgia Tech (6-2) host 16th ranked Florida State (6-1).
The Yellow Jackets will be looking to end a serious drought against the Seminoles. Florida State has won the last 12 meetings between the two teams and the last six in Atlanta.Odds makers at SBGGlobal have Georgia Tech -2.5 point favorites at home in college football odds against Florida State.
Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden has never lost in his career against Georgia Tech, going a perfect 12-0.
This has been a series of domination for one team or the other. In the early going it was all Yellow Jackets as they went 7-0-1 against Florida State.
The last 12 games though have all gone to Florida State, including the last six in Atlanta. The game is huge for both teams in the ACC. Georgia Tech was in good shape in the conference until last week when they let one get away against Virginia.
Now it is Florida State that controls their own destiny as they will play in the ACC title game if they win out.
Vegas odds at the MGM Mirage sportsbook have the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets -1.5 point college football betting favorites.
Saturday's week 10 college football game is the first meeting between the Jackets and Seminoles since 2003 and the first meeting in Atlanta since 2002. The key on Saturday could be turnovers.
Georgia Tech has fumbled 26 times this season. The Yellow Jackets have lost 14 of those fumbles, which is tied for 2nd worst in the country. Somehow the team is 6-2 despite the fumbles but they can't afford to continue turning the ball over if they expect to contend for the ACC title.
If you want to bet Georgia Tech as -2.5 point favorites in college football odds against Florida State then visit SBG Global.
Florida State Seminoles at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Stats
The Seminoles are 4-9-1 ATS in college football odds for their last 14 games in November.
The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 ATS in college football odds for their last 5 conference games. The Yellow Jackets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 ATS in college football odds for their last 5 games on grass. The Yellow Jackets are 2-5 ATS in college football odds for their last 7 home games.
The Under is 17-6 in college football betting for the Seminoles last 23 games in November. The Over is 7-2 in the Seminoles last 9 vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 5-2 in college football betting for the Seminoles last 7 road games. The Under is 5-1 in the Yellow Jackets last 6 games.
The Under is 13-3 in college football betting for the Yellow Jackets last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. The Under is 35-17-2 in the Yellow Jackets last 54 conference games. The Under is 4-1 in college football betting for the last 5 meetings between the two teams.
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There are few great games and not many that would qualify as good games as the college football season turns the corner into week nine. Without a doubt, the highlight of this week's lineup of games is the clash between BCS No. 6 Georgia and No. 8 Florida down in Jacksonville, Fla., also known as 'The World's Largest Cocktail Party.'
Both Florida and Georgia are on a roll coming off big wins in week 8. The Gators blasted Kentucky 63-5, while Georgia outlasted LSU down in Death Valley 52-38. This game has major national championship and conference implications for the winner while the loser will probably be on the outside looking in at the BCS party. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Gators listed as -5 ½ point favorites for this game.
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns have survived running the gauntlet of Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State and on Nov. 1 must travel to Jones Stadium in Lubbock to play the No. 7 Texas Tech Red Raiders. One great advantage the Longhorns have enjoyed is playing on their home field in Austin against Missouri and OSU. Against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas at Cotton Bowl Stadium, half of the seats were filled with Longhorns faithful. That won't be the case in Jones Stadium where almost every seat will be cheering for the Red Raiders. Sportsbook.com has the Longhorns favored by a -6.0.
No. 2 Alabama has what would appear to be an easy non-conference tilt with Sun Belt member Arkansas State or oddsmakers seem to think so, favoring the Crimson Tide by -24. However; it was only a year ago that Alabama was upset at home by Louisiana-Monroe, also of the SBC. The Tide often struggle in games they are expected to win easily. Earlier this season Alabama failed to cover in a 17-7 SU win over Tulane. The Red Wolves have played in front of big raucous crowds so they shouldn't be too intimidated. ASU defeated Texas A&M SU on the road at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas earlier in September as a +21 point underdog. Alabama had better have its guard up to avoid any letdown.
College Football Schedule Picks and BCS Rankings: For all the college football betting fans that are searching for the 2008 week 10 College football schedule, picks and BCS rankings no need to look any further.
OnlineSportsHandicapping.com has the full slate of College football picks opening lines for week 10. So, before you bet on College football in week 8 bookmark this page as you search for the best college football betting lines. Week 8 of the College football schedule has several exciting College Football betting matchups on tap. Browse below for your College football teams' matchup.
OnlineSportsHandicapping.com is issuing an betting lines ALERT on the week 10 college football picks and betting odds schedule.
A few notable college football matchups this week on the college football schedule are:
* No. 1 Texas at No. 7 Texas Tech, Saturday 8PM on ABC:, The College football Odds makers had BCS Ranked No. 1 Texas Longhorns opened as the -5½(-110) College Odds favorite in this week 10 College football schedule matchup. The college football betting line has moved +/- 1 point since it opened 6(-100).
* No. 8 Florida vs. No. 6 Georgia, Saturday, 3:30, CBS, The college football odds makers have No.8 BCS Ranked Florida Gators opened as the -5½(-104) point betting favorite in this week 10 college football schedule matchup. The college football betting line has not moved since it opened.
* Nebraska vs No. 4 Oklahoma, The Oklahoma Sooners opened as the -22(-107) betting favorite as they face Nebraska in their week 10 College football schedule matchup. The college football betting line has moved not moved since it opened and is still favoring No. 4 BCS Ranked Oklahoma Sooners. source>>>
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The anger is growing among people who are afraid of what the Kentucky online gambling domain case could lead to. People are concerned that this precedent setting case could spread to all industries, not just online gambling.
BoycottKentucky.com has decided to do something about this potentially disastrous ruling. They are calling for a boycott of gambling in the state of Kentucky, and they are expanding their efforts to include a petition.
The site is seeking signatures for the petition at their website. They are hoping that individual people as well as companies will join the fight against this Internet infringement rights case.
Governor Steve Beshear, who ran his political campaign based largely on the idea of expanding casino gambling in the state of Kentucky, has now done the unthinkable. He has brought on a lawsuit to try and seize the domain names of online gambling sites that have customers in Kentucky.
If Beshear gets his way and the domain names are seized, it would open the door for all Internet companies to be unlawfully attacked by individual states. The case could completely change the direction of the Internet.
In addition to the petition, BoycottKentucky.com is also asking that concerned individuals call Governor Beshear's office on Friday, October 31st, to voice their displeasure. Once the petition is complete, it will be sent to the Governor and the judge in the case, before the next scheduled hearing. source>>>
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