Thursday Trends and Indexes 01/03

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Thursday, January 3

Good Luck on day #3 of 2008!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.

NCAA FOOTBALL:
With the few remaining games in the bowl games, we are bringing back the trends and indexes for the balance of NCAA Bowl Games to this thread.

[pm530]

Six-pack for Thursday

Observations from full night of sports............

-- First big hoop upset of '08: Georgia State rallies from its 43-30 halftime deficit of to nip George Mason (-11) , 66-64.

-- Penn State snapped 15-game road losing streak with win at Northwestern-- important win for Lions' program.

-- Name of the night in college hoop: Kentrell Gransberry of South Florida, a pretty good player, but he got a technical before game started for dunking in warmups.

-- Indiana survived gritty Iowa team, 79-76 in Iowa City, to win its Big 11 opener.

-- New Orleans Hornets are 21-11, best start in team history.

-- All credit to the West Virginia kids for just whacking the Oklahoma Sooners, who now have lost last four BCS bowls

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[pm530]

Thursday's List of 13: Random thoughts on chilly Thursday

13) Jets fell from 3rd pick in draft to 6th by beating Chiefs in the season finale; KC is one of the teams that passed them in draft order. I thought Herm always played to win the game?

12) Tie-breaker that dropped Jets to sixth is strength of their schedule, so losing twice to 16-0 Patriots hurt them. Funny to note that after Jets pick 6th, New England will pick 7th, using the 49ers draft pick. Yikes.

11) Odd stat: Marty Schottenheimer has 12 more career wins than Bill Parcells, in one less season. Goes to show you how much playoff success means-- no contest in that area.

10) If he wants to, Brian Billick will be very good on TV.

9) Ravens' owner is entitled to do what he wants as far as the hiring and firing goes, but asking the players what they think of the coach, after a losing season, isn't great way to run the program. Ravens were 13-3 last year; that means nothing?

8) They put 71,000+ fans in Orchard Park for an NHL game on Tuesday afternoon. Terrific exposure for hockey.

7) Mike Nolan has one more year to turn around 49ers; he is going to have his fourth OC in last four years, but it won't be Mike Martz, apparently. Martz Madness is going to be tough sell, after washing out in domed setting with the Lions.

6) If the Lions want to fire Martz, fine, but how in the name of Les Steckel does Matt Millen still have a job?

5) Raiders fired their DC, making it look like Lane Kiffin has a mind to hire his dad Monte after the Bucs' season is over.

4) Speaking of Buccaneers, they're rejecting any out-of-state Ticket Master purchases for playoff game Sunday. Not sure exactly how this works, but KL Wheat and godson Tom are trying to get from Long Island to Tampa for Sunday's game. There were 900+ tickets available on StubHub Wednesday.

3) Who is the jackass that picked Illinois over Georgia for the Rose Bowl? Georgia-USC would have been better than the national title game, and Illinois-Hawai'i would have made for hell of game, too. Sticking to tradition ruined Tuesday night.

2) Besides, it has been 19 years since SEC, Pac-10 hooked up in a bowl game. Why is this? They're the two best leagues in country, and they haven't hooked up in 19 years. Bad idea.

1) Oklahoma has now lost four of last five bowls, winning as an underdog in Holiday Bowl two years ago, losing last four; BCS bowls. They gave up an awful lot of points to Boise St, West Virginia in last two Fiesta Bowls. Sooner defense quit last night; they allowed big play after big play.

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[pm530]

College Football - Dunkel Index

NCAAF
Dunkel Index


THURSDAY, JANUARY 3

Game 477-478: Kansas vs. Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas 108.046; Virginia Tech 108.374
Dunkel Line: Even; 57
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 3 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (+3 1/2); Over


SATURDAY, JANUARY 5

Game 483-484: Ball State vs. Rutgers
Dunkel Ratings: Ball State 83.401; Rutgers 91.494
Dunkel Line: Rutgers by 8; 55
Vegas Line: Rutgers by 10; 60
Dunkel Pick: Ball State (+10); Under


SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Game 489-490: Bowling Green vs. Tulsa
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 83.544; Tulsa 84.741
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 1; 69
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 5; 76
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (+5); Under


MONDAY, JANUARY 7

Game 491-492: Ohio State vs. LSU
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio State 109.014; LSU 112.040
Dunkel Line: LSU by 3; 54
Vegas Line: LSU by 6; 51 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (+6); Over

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[pm530]

College Football – Long Sheet

NCAAF
Long Sheet


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Thursday, January 3
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KANSAS (11 - 1) vs. VIRGINIA TECH (11 - 2) - 1/3/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS is 46-75 ATS (-36.5 Units) after playing a conference game since 1992.
KANSAS is 25-48 ATS (-27.8 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.
KANSAS is 39-59 ATS (-25.9 Units) as an underdog since 1992.
VIRGINIA TECH is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) after playing a conference game this season.
VIRGINIA TECH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 32-9 ATS (+22.1 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.
KANSAS is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
KANSAS is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all games this season.
KANSAS is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all lined games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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Saturday, January 5
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BALL ST (7 - 5) vs. RUTGERS (7 - 5) - 1/5/2008, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BALL ST is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
BALL ST is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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Sunday, January 6
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BOWLING GREEN (8 - 4) vs. TULSA (9 - 4) - 1/6/2008, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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Monday, January 7
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OHIO ST (11 - 1) vs. LSU (11 - 2) - 1/7/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LSU is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO ST is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
OHIO ST is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OHIO ST is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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[pm530]

College Football – Short Sheet

NCAAF
Short Sheet

Thursday, January 3rd

FedEx Orand Bowl
Miami, Florida
TV: FOX
Kansas vs. Virginia Tech, 8:00 ET

Kansas:
3-12 ATS after winning 4 or 5 of their last 6 games
25-48 ATS off a conference loss

Virginia Tech:
7-1 ATS off a conference game
15-5 ATS in the second half of the season


Saturday, January 5th

International Bowl
Toronto, Canada
TV: ESPN2
Ball State vs. Rutgers, 12:00 ET


Ball State:
9-1 ATS off an ATS loss
6-1 ATS off a win by 6 or less points

Rutgers:
10-4 Over off BB conference games
4-1 Over playing with 2+ days rest


Sunday, January 6th

GMAC Bowl
Mobile, Alabama
TV: ESPN
Bowling Green vs. Tulsa, 8:00 ET

Bowling Green:
19-8 ATS off a home win by 17+ points
16-6 ATS after allowing 3 or less first-half points

Tulsa:
0-6 ATS after allowing 37+ points
0-8 ATS after having 475+ total yards


Monday, January 7th

BCS Championship Game
New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: FOX
Ohio State vs. LSU, 8:00 ET

Ohio State:
12-1 ATS off an Under
10-2 ATS off a road game

LSU:
1-5 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points
1-5 ATS off an ATS loss

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[pm530]

College Football – Write up

NCAAF
Write-up

2007-2008 Bowl Analysis
Bowl game for January 3, ‘08
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Thursday, January 3

#29-- Orange Bowl, Miami, 1/3/08

Kansas covered its first ten games before losing 36-28 in its last game to Missouri; they were +21 in turnovers until going -2 vs Mizzou- they covered only try as underdog this season, when they beat rival K-State, 30-24. Jayhawk defense is better than it gets credit for, with 20 INTs this season. Question for Mangino is whether Kansas special teams can at least break even against Tech team that is famous for blocking kicks. Jayhawks are 10-14 in last 24 tries as road underdog.

Virginia Tech had brutal off-season, with shootings on campus, then arrest of its most famous alumnus. Hokies scored 7-10 pts in their two losses, vs LSU, BC; they've gone to a two-headed QB system that gives them balance they couldn't have if one of them played. Va Tech has covered ten of last twelve as a road favorite- they have ten senior starters, Kansas five. Beamer is just 6-8 in bowl games.

Kansas has explosive offense but is new to this environment, in first January bowl in 40 years. Virginia Tech is grass team, while Kansas usually plays on carpet. This is new territory for Kansas squad with soph QB on big stage for first time. Favorites are 5-1 vs spread in last six Orange Bowls. Hokies lost three of their last four bowls. Mangino is 1-1 in bowls with Kansas, who played a weak schedule (faced three bowl teams). Hokies are right side.

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[pm530]

College Football – Tips & Trends

NCAAF
Tips and Trends


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Tips and Trends
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 3RD

FedEx Orange Bowl - Miami, FL
#3 Virginia Tech vs. #8 Kansas (FOX | 8 PM ET)

Kansas is 19-7 ATS in its last 26 games overall.
The OVER is 6-2 in Kansas’ last 8 games as an underdog.
The OVER is 14-6 in Kansas’ last 20 non-conference games.


SATURDAY, JANUARY 5TH

International Bowl - Toronto, ON
Rutgers vs. Ball State (ESPN2 | 12 PM ET)

Ball State is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games overall.
Rutgers is 7-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 6TH

GMAC Bowl - Mobile, AL
Tulsa vs. Bowling Green (ESPN | 8 PM ET)

Tulsa is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games overall.
The UNDER is 9-4 in Bowling Green’s last 13 games on grass.
The OVER is 9-4 in Bowling Green’s last 13 non-conference games.


MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH

BCS National Championship - New Orleans, LA
#1 Ohio State vs. #2 Louisiana State (FOX | 8 PM ET)

Last year, the extended time off (51 days) between games really cooled off the previously unbeaten Buckeyes, and insiders feel that same problem will recur against the SEC’s best team. The Tigers have the most NFL talent on their roster and will be able to make good use of the break to heal their wounds, just like USC did in last year’s Rose Bowl. That’s bad news for the Buckeyes and could very well lead to another ugly title game.
Ohio State is 6-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Ohio State is 23-8 ATS in its last 31 games overall.
LSU is 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 games on turf.
LSU is 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
Underdog is 6-3 SU in BCS title games, winning 4 of last 5.

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[pm530]

College Football - Gameday

NCAAF
Gameday


Thursday, January 3

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NCAAF Gameday
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College Football Gameday

Orange Bowl Preview
Kansas vs. Virginia Tech

The BCS Bowl schedule resumes on Thursday, as the Kansas Jayhawks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Orange Bowl.

The Jayhawks were undefeated heading into their final game of the season against Missouri but came up short against the Tigers in a 36-28 loss as a 1-point favorite, which knocked them out of contention for a national championship. Kansas had one of the best offenses in the nation this season and averaged a second-best 44.3 points per game.

Quarterback Todd Reesing passed for 3259 yards with 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions on the season. Running back Brandon McAnderson rushed for 1050 yards with 16 touchdowns, while Marcus Henry led the team in receiving with 994 yards and nine touchdowns. The Jayhawks were also very stingy on defense, ranking first in the Big 12 and fifth in the country after allowing 16 points per game.

The Hokies won the ACC title after defeating Boston College 30-16 as a 4.5-point underdog in the championship game. Once again Virginia Tech sported one of the best defenses in all of college football after they were ranked second in scoring defense, allowing 15.5 points per game. Offensively the Hokies were also strong behind their quarterback tandem of Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. Glennon threw for 1636 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, while Taylor passed for 916 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also ran in six TDs. Virginia will be slightly shorthanded to start the Orange Bowl, as starting running back Branden Ore has been benched for the first quarter as punishment for arriving late to a practice last week. Ore led the Hokies in rushing this season with 876 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kansas last played in a bowl game in 2005 when they defeated Houston 42-13 in the Fort Worth Bowl as a 3-point favorite. The Hokies appeared in last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl, which they lost to Georgia 31-24 as a 3-point favorite. In this Orange Bowl, the Hokies are a 3-point favorite while the total has been set at 52.5.

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[pm530]

College Football – What bettors need to know: Kansas/Virginia Tech

NCAAF


Thursday, January 3

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What bettors need to know: Kansas vs. Virginia Tech
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Kansas Jayhawks vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (-3 ½, 53)

Battle of opposites

Thursday’s Orange Bowl will be a battle between one of the best offenses and one of the top defenses in the nation. Kansas has produced the second most points per game this season (44.3), while Virginia Tech is allowing the second fewest (15.5).

“Something is going to give,” Virginia Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi told the Kansas City Star. “That’s the way you have to look at it. That is gonna be an exciting part of this whole game. They have an excellent offense, and we have an excellent defense. It’s going to come down to who executes better.”

In the regular season, getting the job done was not a problem for either team. The Jayhawks finished 11-1, while the Hokies were 11-2. One thing that could separate the sides is experience.

Virginia Tech has made as many bowl trips in the last ten years as Kansas has made in all 117 seasons of its football program. This is the Hokies’ fifth BCS bowl matchup in 12 years, but they are not taking their rivals lightly.

"I don't think it'll be a factor at all," VT offensive lineman Duane Brown told The Associated Press. "I think Kansas, not being in this position before, it makes them a little more excited, anticipating that day. I'm sure they're preparing as hard as they can. We've got to match that. Being too comfortable can get you in trouble."

Bettors have to decide whether the Jayhawks’ high-powered offense (490.7 yards per game) or the Hokies’ stingy defense (293.3) will win out. They can certainly find food for thought in Kansas’ ATS record this season. The team beat the number in all but one of its eleven games offering a spread.

One-two punch

Junior Hokies quarterback Sean Glennon started poorly this season and his understudy Taylor Tyrod struggled with injuries and inconsistency. To get the best out of their patchy offense, Virginia Tech employed a two-quarterback system.

Glennon is a traditional drop-back passer. Taylor – a freshman – is more of a running QB. Their differences made them suited to splitting time, but as Glennon told reporters this week, that didn’t guarantee the plan’s success.

“If either me or Tyrod took the route where we said, ‘This is B.S., I should be the guy out there,’ that could lead to kind of rooting against him when he’s in there,” he told the Kansas City Star.

“That’s not going to help the team win. The quarterback is a reflection of leadership and attitude. If the guy in charge of the huddle had that attitude, it’d be easy to self-destruct.”

Instead, the VT offense went on to play its best football of the season after the decision.

The Hokies dominated Florida State and Miami, then beat rival Virginia on the road to make the ACC title game. In that contest, VT produced one of its best offensive performances of the season in a 30-16 win over Boston College.

The Jayhawks, meanwhile, are hopeful that facing two totally different quarterbacks will make life easier for the Kansas defense.

“It’d be hard to go against one that does both,” KU linebacker Joe Mortensen said. “When Taylor comes in, he likes to run the ball. When Glennon is in, he hardly ever runs. We know what to expect when they both come in the game.”

Glennon has thrown for 1,636 yards and 11 TDs this season, while Taylor has put up 916 yards and five TDs.

Talib will return punts

Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib has been practicing punt returns all season and Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino has finally decided to give him a chance.

Talib will return punts against Virginia Tech mainly because of a lack of production from regular return specialist Anthony Webb – who was averaging less than a yard per return.

“It’s out of necessity,” Mangino told reporters this week. “Talib is a playmaker, a dependable guy. He’ll do a great job. We’re blocking people, but we’re not returning the ball.”

Talib has denied that he is using the Orange Bowl as an opportunity for him to showcase his talents to NFL scouts. “No, man, I use these extra games for my team!” he told the Star. “That’s what we’re here for. I couldn’t care less about pro scouts right now.”

He has eight receptions for 182 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Ore out for first quarter

Virginia Tech will be without its leading rusher for the opening quarter of the Orange Bowl. Associate head coach Billy Hite confirmed last week that running back Brandon Ore has been suspended for the first quarter of Thursday’s game for showing up late to practice on Dec. 21.

“I talked with coach (Frank) Beamer on Friday, and I recommended that we suspend Branden for a quarter,” Hite told the Roanoke Times. “I’m not putting up with that kind of stuff.

“In order for us to win ballgames, we can’t have guys showing up at practice whenever they want to. Everybody else made it to practice on time, so there’s no excuse for Branden not making it, too.”

Ore leads the Hokies with 876 yards on the ground and eight rushing touchdowns. He will be replaced for the opening quarter by sophomore Lewis Kenny Jr., who has 183 yards and four TDs.

Ore ran for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns last season and was named a first-team All-ACC performer.

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[pm530]

College Football – Preview, January 3

NCAAF
Preview


Thursday, January 3


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Preview: Kansas vs Virginia Tech
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GAME: Kansas Jayhawks (11-1) vs Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, January 03 - 8:00 PM EST
SPREAD: Virginia Tech -3.5 TOTAL: 52.5

If it’s true that the Missouri Tigers lost at the wrong time to get left out of a BCS bowl game, then the Kansas Jayhawks lost at the right time to squeeze their way in.

The Jayhawks lost their last game of the season to Missouri, which ensured they’d finish the season with only one loss.

That was enough to get them selected ahead of two-loss Missouri for the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 3 when they’ll face the ACC champion Virginia Hokies.

That sets up a classic matchup of offense against defense when the Hokies’ No. 2 nationally ranked scoring defense (15.5 points against per game) meets the Jayhawks’ No. 2 scoring offense (44.3 points per game).

Kansas racked up its points through the efficient play of quarterback Todd Reesing, who passed for over 3,000 yards 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Reesing had three receivers who caught for at least four touchdowns and 400 yards. Senior Marcus Henry led the way, falling just shy of 1,000 yards.

The Jayhawks also have a pair of running backs who drove for over 700 yards each and a combined 23 touchdowns.

Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp each averaged over five yards per carry. They helped Kansas rush for nearly 200 yards per game.

All these stats sound impressive but critics say the Jayhawks’ cupcake schedule played a major factor.

Kansas beat up on patsies like Florida International and Southeastern Louisiana early in the season and the team managed to avoid Big 12 powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma during conference play.

Still, the Jayhawks famously racked up 76 points in a record-setting win against Nebraska on Nov. 3 and they finished the season as the most successful team against the spread.

Kansas went an incredible 10-1 against the line this season. The only defeat came against Missouri, 38-26, with the Jayhawks listed as a narrow favorite.

Virginia Tech wasn’t so bad for their supporters in Las Vegas either. The Hokies managed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games and were favored in all but one of those contests.

The early season wasn’t as smooth while the Hokies struggled to get their offense into gear. They failed to cover the number on their first four tries and suffered a 48-7 whooping on Sept. 8 against Louisiana State.

The good news for Virginia Tech is that the team sorted it out. Quarterback was the biggest area of concern and the Hokies managed to develop a two-man system that has helped them score at least 30 points in each of their last four games.

Sean Glennon has finally secured the starting role as the pocket passer in the tandem unit. Athletic freshman Tyrod Taylor is thrown in during certain possessions in games when Virginia Tech wants to throw a different look at its opponents and create a running threat.

The Florida Gators ran a similar system last year on their way to the national championship and the Hokies are one of a handful of teams also finding success with it.

Virginia Tech hasn’t lost the trademark style of head coach Frank Beamer known as “Beamerball”, however. The name refers to the combination of standout play on special teams and defense.

The Hokies own the nation’s No. 4 rushing defense (86 yards against per game) and the No. 5 total defense (293.3 yards against per game).

This is also the team that has scored more defensive and special teams touchdowns than any other over the past two decades.

It reminded everyone why in the ACC championship game. The Hokies returned a pick for a touchdown against Boston College, and also blocked two kicks and an extra point, which was returned for two points.

Tech avenged an earlier loss in the season to BC with a 30-16 victory. Kansas can play a little special teams and defense too, which is often overlooked because of the offense.

The Jayhawks rank fifth in scoring defense with just 16 points against per game.

They also rank fourth in kickoff returns with a 26-yard average.

That comes from the hard-working coaching style of Mark Mangino, who led a huge turnaround from a 6-6 Kansas team last year.

Mangino was appropriately named Big 12 coach of the year as a result.

This marks the third bowl game for the Jayhawks under Mangino’s tenure and the first BCS bowl berth.

The Jayhawks have never met Virginia Tech before, which is playing in its 15th straight bowl game and fourth BCS bowl game overall.

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[pm530]

National Football League - Dunkel Index

NFL
Dunkel Index

Wild Card Weekend


Washington at Seattle
The Redskins have been on a mission since the death of safety Sean Taylor and finished the regular season with four straight wins, including road victories over the Giants and Vikings in which a loss would have ended their postseason chances. They ended the season with a 21-point win -- the same number that Taylor wore -- over the Cowboys that was impressive even though Dallas rested a number of starters. Now Washington gets a chance to face the Seahawks in a rematch of the 2005 playoff contest, won by Seattle (20-10). But while the Seahawks were able to win 10 games this season, they played only one against a playoff team (Pittsburgh in Week 5) and lost 21-0. Facing a hot Washington team is a tough draw for Seattle and makes the Redskins the underdog pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Washington favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3 1/2). Here are all of this week's picks.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5

Game 479-480: Washington at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 133.598; Seattle 132.917
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 42
Vegas Line: Seattle by 3 1/2; 40
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3 1/2); Over

Game 481-482: Jacksonville at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 136.373; Pittsburgh 138.635
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 2 1/2; 44
Vegas Line: Jacksonville by 2; 39 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+2); Over

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Game 485-486: NY Giants at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 131.027; Tampa Bay 132.909
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2; 42
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay by 3; 39 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (+3); Over

Game 487-488: Tennessee at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 129.151; San Diego 142.210
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 13; 37
Vegas Line: San Diego by 9; 40 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-9); Under

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[pm530]

National Football League – Long Sheet

NFL
Long Sheet


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Saturday, January 5
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WASHINGTON (9 - 7) at SEATTLE (10 - 6) - 1/5/2008, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 28-11 ATS (+15.9 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.
SEATTLE is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-1 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 1-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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JACKSONVILLE (11 - 5) at PITTSBURGH (10 - 6) - 1/5/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
JACKSONVILLE is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
JACKSONVILLE is 3-0 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
JACKSONVILLE is 3-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Sunday, January 6
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NY GIANTS (10 - 6) at TAMPA BAY (9 - 7) - 1/6/2008, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY GIANTS are 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NY GIANTS are 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
NY GIANTS are 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY GIANTS is 1-0 against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
NY GIANTS is 1-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TENNESSEE (10 - 6) at SAN DIEGO (11 - 5) - 1/6/2008, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season.
SAN DIEGO is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN DIEGO is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in home games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in home lined games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) against AFC South division opponents since 1992.
SAN DIEGO is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 2-0 against the spread versus TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
SAN DIEGO is 2-0 straight up against TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

National Football League - Tips & Trends

NFL


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Tips and Trends
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Wild Card Weekend


Saturday, January 5

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks
(NBC | 4:30 PM ET)

Seattle is one of the best home teams in the NFL, going 7-1 SU at Qwest Field and 6-2 ATS. The Seahawks have won their last 5 home games by an average of 20 points. Two of their three losses to end the regular season were both on the road with the division already clinched. Seattle beat Washington 2 years ago in the playoffs as a 9.5-point favorite, 20-10. BIG EDGE: SEAHAWKS
The Redskins have been emotionally charged since Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor was fatally shot just prior to Week 13, going 4-1 SU & ATS with 4 straight wins. All 4 wins came against teams either in the playoffs or battling for playoff spots, as Washington helped knock both Chicago and Minnesota out of contention. Two of those wins also came on the road. EDGE: REDSKINS
Seahawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Seahawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Seahawks are 6-2 in their last 8 games against NFC opponents.
Redskins are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in January.
The UNDER is 6-2 in Washington's last 8 games in January.


Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
(NBC | 8 PM ET)

This is one of two Wild Card rematches from the regular season, with the Jaguars beating the Steelers 29-22 in Pittsburgh back on December 16th. Jacksonville has covered the last 5 meetings and 7 of 8, taking a 22-7 lead into the 4th quarter of the last game between the teams before Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger rallied his team back. EDGE: JAGUARS
Jaguars are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Jaguars are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
Steelers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The home team is 14-5 ATS in the last 19 meetings.
The OVER is 9-0-1 in Jacksonville's last 10 games and 16-5-1 in the last 22.
The OVER is 13-3 in Pittsburgh's last 16 games in January.
The OVER is 9-2 in Pittsburgh's last 11 playoff games.
The UNDER is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings.


Sunday, January 6

New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FOX | 1 PM ET)

Tampa Bay was one of the best home teams in the NFC this season, going 6-2 both SU & ATS. One of the losses was 24-23 to Jacksonville and the other came in the regular-season finale against Carolina in a meaningless game. EDGE: BUCS
New York finished tied with Indy and Dallas as the 2nd-best road team in the NFL behind New England. The Giants were 7-1 away from home and their only loss came against the Cowboys in Week 1. Since then, they have won 7 straight, including a trip to London in Week 8 vs. Miami. That is the only road game they did not cover since losing to Dallas. EDGE: GIANTS
Tampa Bay QB Jeff Garcia will try to defeat the Giants in the playoffs with his 3rd different team after beating them last year as an Eagle and as a 49er in 2003, leading San Francisco back from a 24-point deficit en route to a 39-38 victory. EDGE: BUCS
Giants are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games vs. NFC opponents.
Bucs are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. NFC opponents.
Bucs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. teams with a winning record.


Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (CBS | 4:30 PM ET)

This is the other rematch of a regular-season meeting, with San Diego rallying back to win 23-17 in overtime at Tennessee back on December 9th. There is a lot of bad blood remaining from that game that saw Chargers defensive star Shawne Merriman take a shot on his knee while there was also a horse collar tackle on Tennessee RB Chris Brown. The Titans blew a 14-3 lead in the 4th quarter and remain bitter. "I don't think anybody's happy about the way that game ended,'' Tennessee DE Kyle Vanden Bosch said. ''We take a lead, we'd like to be able to finish a game. We give them credit. They made big plays when they had to to beat us. At the same time, there was definitely some unfinished business when they came to Nashville.'' SLIGHT EDGE: TITANS
Tennessee QB Vince Young is listed as day-to-day with a quad injury, but head coach Jeff Fisher is optimistic that he will play. "I can't really say right now if Vince is going to play this week,'' Fisher said. ''I have a good feeling he'll be back on the practice field, and we'll see how he goes.'' EDGE: CHARGERS
Chargers are 6-0 SU & ATS in their last 6 games.
Titans are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 road games.

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up


Thursday, January 3

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Today's NBA analysis

Hot Teams
-- Trailblazers won, covered 14 of their last 15 games. Bulls won three of their last four games.
-- Nuggets, Spurs both won three of their last four games.
-- Phoenix won last three games, allowing 92.7 ppg.

Cold Teams
-- Sonics lost five of their last seven games.

Previous meetings this season
-- Denver (+5.5) lost 102-91 at Alamo Dec 15.
-- Suns won 106-98 at Seattle back on Nov 1 (-10).

Totals
-- Over is 5-2 in Chicago's last seven games.
-- Over is 5-2 in Denver's last seven games.
-- Under is 6-3 in last nine Phoenix games.

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