Texas in search of blood and guts running game
NCAA Football Betting Lines
08/25/2010 -
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -Run, run, run. That's all Texas coach Mack Brown wants to talk about.
For a program that won 25 games the past two seasons throwing the ball behind one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NCAA history, an iron-fisted commitment to building a punishing running game seems a bit drastic.
Texas will still throw the ball. But what Brown wants is a blood-and-guts running game that will get the tough yards and first downs ``when we need it.''
Texas couldn't get those against Alabama in a 37-21 loss in the BCS championship game last season. When quarterback Colt McCoy got hurt early in the first quarter, Texas' first drive fizzled at the goal line and the Longhorns settled for a field goal instead of a touchdown.
And when Texas needed to control the ball and reorganize behind backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert, six possessions went three plays or fewer before Texas limped into halftime trailing 24-6.
Since then, Texas has spent many days in spring drills and fall training camp working on building a bulldozing rushing attack, pushing the offensive line to be more physical. Four years of pass blocking for McCoy can put a line on its heels when it's time to lean into a 300-pound defensive tackle.
``The line has really taken it upon themselves and gotten an attitude,'' Gilbert said. ``The running backs have done a great job of getting downhill and being able to get 4 or 5 yards a pop, so that's been really good for us so far.''
Texas has often been synonymous with a solid running game in its history.
The Wishbone offense was invented here under coach Darrell Royal in the 1960s. Running backs Earl Campbell (1977) and Ricky Williams (1998) won Heisman trophies.
In the past 10 years, Cedric Benson piled up 5,540 career yards on a school-record 1,112 carries from 2001-2004. Jamaal Charles' 1,619 yards in 2007 stands as the fifth best in school history.
But no Longhorns rusher has come even close to 1,000 yards the past two seasons. McCoy led Texas rushers in 2008. Tre' Newton led the Longhorns in 2009 with 552 yards.
Texas averaged 4.0 yards per rush last season, a solid mark. But in the last two games against Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game and Alabama, the Longhorns totaled just 99 yards on 66 carries, an average of 1 1/2 yards.
The overall drop-off in recent years appears to have hurt Texas on the recruiting trail. Brown, who can usually charm top recruits to Austin with the snap of a finger, has struggled lately to land the traditional big, game-breaking running backs of Texas lore.
That could soon change. Malcolm Brown of San Antonio, one of the top running back recruits in the nation, has verbally committed to sign with Texas in 2011.
Texas started four tailbacks at different times last season and entered training camp with Newton and Fozzy Whittaker battling for the No. 1 role. Whittaker has seen sporadic action the past two seasons while battling injuries. Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, took over the position in the second half of last season.
Cody Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound bowling ball of a tailback has been a pleasant surprise in training camp and has forced his way into the rotation.
Johnson has 24 career touchdowns and ran for 109 yards in his only start last season against Baylor. Conditioning and weight problems kept him from playing more.
``He's come back and lost 4 or 5 percent body fat this summer. He's still the same weight but he's in great shape,'' Brown said. ``I think we got onto him so much that we got discouraged, very honestly. You can't do it as a coach, the young man has to do it and this summer he did it on his own.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds
With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season. What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season. Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all. Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13). Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two. Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury. Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven. Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury. Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons. Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4. Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1). The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this. No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.
Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend. Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend. With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.
MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:
Atlanta Hawks 1000-1
Boston Celtics 5000-1
Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1
Chicago Bulls 20-1
Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1
Dallas Mavericks 2-1
Denver Nuggets 25-1
Detroit Pistons 6-1
Golden State Warriors 250-1
Houston Rockets 12-1
Indiana Pacers 60-1
Los Angeles Clippers 45-1
Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1
Miami Heat 9-1
Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1
Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1
New Jersey Nets 50-1
New Orleans Hornets 150-1
New York Knicks 150-1
Orlando Magic 75-1
Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1
Phoenix Suns 5-2
Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1
Sacramento Kings 250-1
San Antonio Spurs 9-1
Seattle Sonics 5000-1
Toronto Raptors 35-1
Utah Jazz 20-1
Washington Wizards 25-1
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New York, NY – October 3, 2007 – The dress rehearsal is over! The NHL preseason has ended and now that fans have had a glimpse of what is to come it is time to hit the book! Stanley Cup odds are live at MySportsbook.com, the world’s largest online sportsbook and casino.
The Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings remain on top of the odds charts after an impressive start in the preseason. Betting lines opened for both teams at 6-1 in June. Since then the Sens have fallen to 7-1 and the Red Wings are now caught in a pack including the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks, all at 10-1.
MySportsbook.com has also posted props on each team’s point total for the regular season. The Senators lead the charge at 108.5 followed by the Ducks at 106.5. Detroit will attempt a repeat for the prize as the Red Wings are deadlocked with the Predators at 104.5 a piece. The temporary loss of highly touted rookie Evgeni Malkin puts a lot of pressure on the stick of assistant captain Sidney Crosby - his lowly Pittsburgh Penguins are listed at 71.5.
Even if bettors are not brave enough to put their money on the underdog, an early bet on the favorites at sportsbook.com tends to produce bigger payouts than a mid-season wager. Placing a $1,000 bet last summer on the Detroit Red Wings or Ottawa Senators would have paid out to $8,000 and $10,000 respectively, opposed to a $2,500 or $3,000 payout at the beginning of the playoffs.
Stanley Cup Odds
| Ottawa Senators Detroit Red Wings Carolina Hurricanes San Jose Sharks Anaheim Ducks Philadelphia Flyers Calgary Flames New Jersey Devils Buffalo Sabres Dallas Stars New York Rangers Nashville Predators Vancouver Canucks Colorado Avalanche Minnesota Wild Tampa Bay Lightning Boston Bruins Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Atlanta Thrashers Toronto Maple Leafs Edmonton Oilers Phoenix Coyotes Los Angeles Kings New York Islanders Columbus Blue Jackets St. Louis Blues Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals Chicago Blackhawks |
7-1 10-1 10-1 10-1 10-1 12-1 12-1 12-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 15-1 20-1 20-1 25-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 40-1 40-1 50-1 50-1 80-1 80-1 100-1 100-1 |
NHL Regular Season Points - Team Must Play 82 Games
| Team Ottawa Senators Anaheim Ducks Detroit Red Wings Nashville Predators San Jose Sharks Calgary Flames Philadelphia Flyers New Jersey Devils Buffalo Sabres Carolina Hurricanes Dallas Stars New York Rangers Minnesota Wild Atlanta Thrashers Montreal Canadiens Team Los Angeles Kings Tampa Bay Lightening Vancouver Canucks Boston Bruins Colorado Avalanche Edmonton Oilers Phoenix Coyotes Toronto Maple Leafs Florida Panthers Columbus Blue Jackets New York Islanders Chicago Blackhawks St. Louis Blues Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins |
Over/Under 108.5 106.5 104.5 104.5 103.5 101.5 100.5 99.5 97.5 97.5 97.5 95.5 94.5 93.5 92.5 Over/Under 91.5 91.5 91.5 89.5 89.5 88.5 88.5 86.5 84.5 82.5 80.5 72.5 72.5 72.5 71.5 |
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