I wonder who will chime in here? BTW, Scott, you're trying really hard to annoy people STILL, so please quit with the tiny text. geez! I'm not going to be as flexible with you as I have been in the past because you're really starting to annoy ME now!
Monday, July 12, 2004
Copyright ? Las Vegas Review-Journal
USC early favorite for national title repeat
Hilton installs `reloading' Trojans at 3-1 to capture BCS trophy
By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
With or without star wideout Mike Williams, Southern California is a good bet to again be the team to beat in college football this season.
The Trojans, 3-1 favorites to win the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 4 in the Orange Bowl, are getting more than their share of respect from oddsmakers.
"They have so much talent on that team it's ridiculous," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.
USC returns quarterback Matt Leinart from the 12-1 team that routed Michigan in the Rose Bowl to claim a share of the national title with Louisiana State. But Williams' status remains uncertain.
Williams compiled 87 receptions for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore, then hired an agent and entered the NFL Draft. But a court ruling barred him from the draft, and he has re-enrolled at USC and appealed to the NCAA to have his eligibility restored.
If Williams is reinstated, he will be one of the nation's best players. But either way, his situation won't have much of an impact on the betting numbers, Kornegay said.
The Hilton posted lines Sunday on 80 of the season's top games, in addition to regular-season win totals for 35 teams.
The Trojans play 12 games and their win total has been set at 11. They were also made double-digit favorites in all five of their games posted by the Hilton.
"That team is so solid. There is Leinart and Williams, but it's basically a no-name team. They're getting the top recruits every year and reloading," Kornegay said. "Overall, the Pac-10 is a very weak conference."
Oklahoma (6-1) and Georgia (8-1) are the top national title contenders, with Florida State, LSU and Texas all at 10-1.
Kornegay, who left the Imperial Palace this summer, has made it a tradition to post lines on college games in July. He said his staff studied schedules and rosters for weeks to make solid lines.
"It gets a lot of attention. It's always a pretty popular wager," he said.
The win totals attracted the most action on the first day of betting. Kornegay said significant money came in on seven teams -- Alabama (over 7), Florida (under 8), Maryland (under 7), Missouri (over 8), Oregon (under 7 1/2), Texas A&M (over 6) and UNLV (under 5 1/2). Most teams have 11 games scheduled.
"The Rebels are going to be better than last year, but their schedule is so brutal," Kornegay said, referring to early-season games at Wisconsin and Tennessee.
"The bettors certainly do their homework. Some of the more educated bettors are trying to make money, and others do it for entertainment. If you make a wager, you're going to have action all season."
Among the notable games, UNLV is a 3 1/2-point underdog at Brigham Young on Oct. 8, and USC is a 19-point favorite over Notre Dame on Nov. 27.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Copyright ? Las Vegas Review-Journal
USC early favorite for national title repeat
Hilton installs `reloading' Trojans at 3-1 to capture BCS trophy
By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
With or without star wideout Mike Williams, Southern California is a good bet to again be the team to beat in college football this season.
The Trojans, 3-1 favorites to win the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 4 in the Orange Bowl, are getting more than their share of respect from oddsmakers.
"They have so much talent on that team it's ridiculous," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.
USC returns quarterback Matt Leinart from the 12-1 team that routed Michigan in the Rose Bowl to claim a share of the national title with Louisiana State. But Williams' status remains uncertain.
Williams compiled 87 receptions for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore, then hired an agent and entered the NFL Draft. But a court ruling barred him from the draft, and he has re-enrolled at USC and appealed to the NCAA to have his eligibility restored.
If Williams is reinstated, he will be one of the nation's best players. But either way, his situation won't have much of an impact on the betting numbers, Kornegay said.
The Hilton posted lines Sunday on 80 of the season's top games, in addition to regular-season win totals for 35 teams.
The Trojans play 12 games and their win total has been set at 11. They were also made double-digit favorites in all five of their games posted by the Hilton.
"That team is so solid. There is Leinart and Williams, but it's basically a no-name team. They're getting the top recruits every year and reloading," Kornegay said. "Overall, the Pac-10 is a very weak conference."
Oklahoma (6-1) and Georgia (8-1) are the top national title contenders, with Florida State, LSU and Texas all at 10-1.
Kornegay, who left the Imperial Palace this summer, has made it a tradition to post lines on college games in July. He said his staff studied schedules and rosters for weeks to make solid lines.
"It gets a lot of attention. It's always a pretty popular wager," he said.
The win totals attracted the most action on the first day of betting. Kornegay said significant money came in on seven teams -- Alabama (over 7), Florida (under 8), Maryland (under 7), Missouri (over 8), Oregon (under 7 1/2), Texas A&M (over 6) and UNLV (under 5 1/2). Most teams have 11 games scheduled.
"The Rebels are going to be better than last year, but their schedule is so brutal," Kornegay said, referring to early-season games at Wisconsin and Tennessee.
"The bettors certainly do their homework. Some of the more educated bettors are trying to make money, and others do it for entertainment. If you make a wager, you're going to have action all season."
Among the notable games, UNLV is a 3 1/2-point underdog at Brigham Young on Oct. 8, and USC is a 19-point favorite over Notre Dame on Nov. 27.
Thanks for the article Madjack. 
