11/21/2008 - Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henry Burris wasn't a happy camper at the CFL's awards banquet Thursday night.
After both he and Calgary Stampeders kicker Sandro DeAngelis were snubbed for individual awards, a rather testy Burris greeted reporters at Casino de Montreal.
"Let's get this over with," Burris fumed. "We've got a dag-gum game to play, and if we're going to keep getting robbed like this..."
It seems Burris and the Stampeders figure the only way to earn respect in the CFL is to win the Grey Cup by downing the hometown Montreal Alouettes despite finishing the regular season with the league's best record at 13-5.
"I've always said this, so the media here, please listen to this...there's one thing you can never take away from a team, and that's a championship," Burris continued.
John Hufnagel, the former NFL assistant coach who's in his first year as Calgary's head coach and GM, certainly has the Stampeders positioned right to earn their first Grey Cup title since 2001, which incidentally came at Olympic Stadium.
Hufnagel is certainly familiar with Canadian football, He played 12 seasons as a CFL quarterback with Calgary, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg from 1976 to '87, then served as the Stampeders' offensive coordinator from 1990 to '96 before heading to the Arena Football League.
Then Hufnagel spent seven seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL with Cleveland, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New England and the New York Giants before returning to Canada.
During Hufnagel's time in the NFL, he worked with the likes of Peyton and Eli Manning as well as New England superstar Tom Brady.
Burris has certainly flourished under Hufnagel, setting career highs this year in passing yards (5,094) and touchdowns (39). Burris was also the CFL's top rushing quarterback with 595 yards to earn his first nomination for the CFL's outstanding player award - won by Montreal's Anthony Calvillo.
Burris also has quite a supporting cast as Calgary's offense also includes the league's top rusher (Joffrey Reynolds, 1,310 yards) and receiver (Ken-Yon Rambo, 100 catches, 1,473 yards, eight touchdowns).
However, Rambo isn't Burris' only option on passing downs. Nik Lewis added 87 catches for 1,109 yards and 10 touchdowns while Jeremaine Copeland (52 catches, 764 yards, seven touchdowns) still remains a dangerous receiver despite sub-par stats - by his standards.
With all the offensive firepower, Calgary finished the season tied with Montreal for tops in average time of possession (32:09) and first in field goals (50) while finishing second in scoring (32 points per game), average yards per game (412), average gain per rush (6.4 yards), touchdowns (58), passing TDs (39) and yards allowed (356 per game).
Last year, Calgarys defense was the CFL's worst, but with the offseason hiring of Chris Jones from Montreal, the unit has transformed into the league's best.
The Stampeders were the toughest team to score against, allowing a league-low 21.5 points per game. They also gave up just 90 yards rushing per game, 24 touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns, all tops in the CFL.
Calgary's defense also finished second overall in takeways with 50 (19 interceptions, 19 fumbles and 12 on downs). As a team, the Stampeders were tied with B.C. with the top giveaway-takeaway ratio at plus-20.
Linebacker Shannon James was the defense's leader, posting a team-high 73 tackles. Safety Wes Lysack was the club's top pass defender with four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
DeAngelis had a solid season, leading the CFL in scoring with 217 points while connecting on 50-of-58 field goals. Punter Burke Dales finished fourth overall with 46.1-yard average.
<< Around the CFL: Montreal trying to win big one at home
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Alouettes will definitely have
home-field advantage for the Grey Cup.
The Alouettes will have the support of 60,000-plus rabid supporters on Sunday
when they take on the Calgary Stampeders at
<< Rampage winger Lisin rejoins Coyotes
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes recalled right winger
Enver Lisin from their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio
Rampage, to replace Daniel Winnik, who was placed on injured reserve, it was
announc
<< Let's make a deal: Knicks trade away Crawford, Randolph
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks made a couple of big
trades on Friday, including a trade of guard Jamal Crawford to the Golden
State Warriors for forward Al Harrington.
Later on Friday, the Knicks announced t
<< Red Bulls, Crew both gunning for first MLS Cup
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When the dust settles on the Major League Soccer
title game at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, one of the two combatants - the
New York Red Bulls or the heavily favored Columbus Crew - will be hoisting
their r
Giants Burress to extension >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico
Burress is suffering from a right hamstring injury and is considered a game-
time decision to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Burress, who was hurt
Giants' Burress game-time decision >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico
Burress is suffering from a right hamstring injury and is considered a game-
time decision to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Burress, who was hurt
Habs' Komisarek out at least a month >>
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek
will miss at least a month with what the team is calling an upper-body injury.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Komisarek, the seventh overall selection by
the
Collins leads No. 17 Miami past Southern Miss >>
St. Thomas, VI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dwayne Collins scored 14 points and grabbed
nine rebounds to lead the 17th-ranked Miami Hurricanes to a 70-60 win over
Southern Miss in the Paradise Jam opener.
Jack McClinton and Lance Hurdle added 13
Recently I had an email debate with an angry reader who said I did not understand "the science of oddsmaking", as he called it.
He said I was wrong for suggesting oddsmakers care about who wins or loses games.
"Oddsmakers only care about splitting the betting public 50/50 on both sides of the line and keeping the commission (a.k.a. juice)," he wrote.
He might have been right about not understanding "the science of oddsmaking". After all, I'm not an oddsmaker. That said, I stick to my assertion that oddsmakers (a.k.a. sportbooks) often do care about who wins games.
Granted, as a general rule, sportsbooks try to balance their action so that they're not exposed to big losses. However, there are times when this is difficult to pull off, regardless of how much a line has moved. There are also times when that general rule is ignored and a book pursues risk.
Generally speaking, it's safe to say the books in Vegas are risk-adverse. Unlike in the past when the wise guys ruled the town, Vegas is now corporate and the goal of most casinos is to make as much money as possible with as little risk as possible.
Thus, Vegas sportsbooks try everything in their power to balance the action. They're satisfied simply collecting the juice. But these profits are small, especially compared to the take from other casino games, namely slot machines.
Because the profits at Vegas sportsbooks are so small, you could argue that many casinos operate sportsbooks simply as a novelty to keep the tourists happy.
With a growing aversion to risk, it should come as no surprise that Vegas bookmakers have been panicking this NFL season.
Despite huge pointspreads, a disproportionate percentage of bettors are still laying their money on favorites like the Eagles, Colts, Pats and Vikings rather than the dogs (a common trend for the largely recreational bettors that visit Vegas).
And much to the dismay of the books, those favorites are finding ways to cover the thick chalk. In fact, prior to Week 7, the four teams listed above are a combined 16-2-2 (88 percent) against the spread. (The tables turned dramatically in Week 7, but more on that later.)
The result has been an early-season beating for the books, and a bonanza for bettors.
While Vegas increasingly hates risk, it's no longer a major player in the sports betting world. Most of the betting action now takes place offshore where sportsbooks are not as obsessed about balance. In fact, some books encourage exposure to risk because the rewards can be so much bigger.
Consider MySportsbook.com. On its website, the book has odds pages which actually display the amount of action it's getting on games. In other words, you can see how much action the book is taking on both sides of a pointspread, moneyline or over/under.
One look at these numbers and it's obvious MySportsbook.com does not balance every game. In fact, far from it.
Take last weekend's matchup between St. Louis and Miami. By game time on Sunday, 83 percent of the betting action at MySportsbook.com was on the Rams; only 17 percent was on Miami.
What's interesting is that MySportsbook.com opened the pointspread with Miami at +6 1/2. By game time, the spread had lowered to +5.
That goes contrary to the balancing theory. If MySportsbook.com had wanted to balance the action, it would have given Miami more points; instead, it took away 1 1/2. World Series odds are now up as well.
MySportsbook.com exposed itself to even more to risk, and rolled the dice on the underdog Dolphins. Why? I contacted a representative with the book to find out. His answer was simple.
"The line moved early based on 'smart money' from sharp players," said Jeff Gilroy, a spokesperson for the book. "We also knew from early in the week that we would need Miami, therefore (we dropped) the spread to encourage Rams money.
"At the end of the day, we liked the home team."
So the conclusion is this: MySportsbook.com respected the sharp action, and gambled that the sharp bettors had a better take on the game than the recreational bettors, who were hammering the visiting Rams.
In the end, the gamble paid off. Miami, desperate for a win in front of its home fans, pounded the overrated Rams, who are terrible on the road and even worse on grass. Final score: 31-14 Fish.
MySportsbook.com was also heavily exposed on numerous favorites in Week 7, including Philadelphia, Seattle and Denver. All three failed to cover.
The fact that sportsbooks are exposed to risk on certain games is really nothing new. The fact, that Sportsbook.com is willing to show the public where it's exposed is intriguing.
Armed with this type of information, bettors can make more educated wagers. They can get an idea where the sharp money is going and conversely where the public money is headed.
MySportsbook.com is opening up its cashbox, letting bettors look inside and challenging them to take their best shot at grabbing the cash.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting odds needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?
Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite. Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight. With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites. As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).
Midwest
#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler
The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April. Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT. After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games. Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season. As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers. Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS). Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field. With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.
#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV
As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year. If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season. As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well. This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons. Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late. There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games. It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.
East
#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown
“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season. Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU. They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games. With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field. Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense. Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc. The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range. Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.
#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC
The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country. Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times. Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter. UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen. UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS. An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games. This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS. USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types. An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough. USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS. They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12. When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards
About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.
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