Think you are smart because you had the Butler Bulldogs upsetting the Pittsburgh Panthers, or the Arizona Wildcats defeating the Duke Blue Devils in your NCAA Tournament bracket?  Well if you did, give yourself a pat on the back, and enjoy it, because that is just about all you are likely to receive for your outlandish prediction.  As for the one man who placed a $10 bet on the Virginia Commonwealth Rams to win the entire tournament earlier this season, he may come out with a little more than just a pat on the back for his unimaginable prediction.

With VCU paying out a hefty 5000-to-1 to win the NCAA Tournament earlier this season, one man – who must own a crystal ball – decided to throw $10 bucks on the Rams at the Hilton’s sportsbook in Las Vegas and see where it takes him.  It has since taken him to the Final Four, as the Rams are only two wins away from making the lucky man $50,000.

I guess Shaka had this man believing a lot earlier than the rest of us.

Hat Tip – [Campus Rivalry]

Is there any better place to wear your Pete Rose vintage jersey than at a Sportsbook?  This guy probably had that outfit picked out several days in advance.  He just knew that as soon as he walked into that gambler’s heaven, everyone would be high-fiving him, telling him how much they love his jersey, and asking to take pictures with him.

I wonder if he is betting on baseball?  Although even if he is, he probably wont admit it.

Word has it that Bookmaker.com is currently offering wagers on which celebrity couple will be caught in a cheating scandal next, and first on the list is the soon to be married Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson.  The wideout for the Philadelphia Eagles and his playmate companion have made the tabloids lately after a Vegas vacation, and the breaking news of Kendra’s pregnancy.  This has not stopped odds makers from placing the couple at +100.

Next on the list is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at +250, followed by Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush at +300, Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson at +400, and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel at +450.  Are Romo and Jessica even together anymore?

It is surprising to see Hank and Kendra top this list.  Even though Hugh Hefner’s former girlfriend had previously admitted to cheating on the 83-year-old Playboy founder, the list does include several other more likely candidates.  And besides, what would they do with that stripper pole should something happen?

Our money is on Romo and Jessica Simpson.

[The Online Wire]

With enormous amounts of money being put on the Lakers to win this season’s NBA championship, the sports gambling company began a promotion where anyone who put money on a team other than the Lakers to win the championship would receive $50 back if the boys in purple and gold were the last squad standing.  With Los Angeles up 2-1 in their best-of-seven series against the Orlando Magic, it seems to be only a matter of time before Kobe and his teammates are raising the trophy.So what does that mean for Bodog?  The company’s manager, Richard Gardner can tell you the amount they are expected to lose, right down to the last penny: $394,411.50.  That’s likely enough to make anyone pray for a miracle, or perhaps a little “Magic” from the boys of Orlando:

“(Lakers coach) Phil Jackson is 43-0 in the playoffs when his team starts the series with a 1-0 lead, which is an unenviable position to be if you play for the Orlando Magic or if you’re the Bodog Sportsbook.  We had over 8,000 players take us up on our pre-playoff promotion.”

It appears no one is getting it right in this year’s NBA playoffs.  First Nike was wrong in assuming a Kobe vs. LeBron finals (luckily Jimmy Kimmel found a solution).  Now Bodog is paying for it’s mistake.

Sportsbooks are usually the one’s profiting from betting, rather than the one’s doing the gambling themselves.  In this case, Bodog rolled the dice on the league rather than the Lakers, and the league lost.  Unless the Magic can pull off the incredible shocker, it will be the bookie’s turn to pay up this week.

Hat Tip – [SportsBiz]

Instead, the problem which “the city that does not sleep” is facing is one regarding their image.  With companies struggling to stay afloat, everyone is trying to get their hands on some of the ever so popular bailout money.  Unfortunately President Obama and other top government officials are not willing to spend it on Vegas vacations.  The President even questioned the motives of companies planing to fly off to Vegas while taxpayers help cover the bill.

This has resulted in several companies canceling meeting in Sin City that are said to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each.  During a town hall meeting in Indiana, President Obama had the following to say:

“You can’t get corporate jets, you can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer’s dime.”

This hasn’t been accepted favorably by Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman.  He voiced his displeasure with the messages that congress was sending companies in an effort to prevent them from visiting his city.

“It’s necessary, for us to thrive in this community, that folks come here and realize that this is not some stepchild.  This is a very important place for people to conduct very important business.” [MSNBC]

This brings up an interesting debate on an issue that is bound to continue to receive more attention.  Tourism and spending can be beneficial to the economy and failure to endorse such actions can be quite damaging, but how do tax payers feel about their hard earned money being spent by wealthy corporate executives who want to go to Vegas, talk some business, party the rest of the time.  I think this is one that the people should decide, but unfortunately they only do that kind of stuff in democratic countries.

The only game that we picked correctly last week was a matchup between conference rivals Florida and Georgia in which the line was set too high and we went against all logic. This week were back at it, trying to find the right games to lay money on.

Let’s take a look at this weeks College Football Free Picks, we have introduced our first parlay of the season take a look!

1. Kansas State Wildcats @ Missouri Tigers (-27, O/U 67.5)

Pick: Over 67.5 – Josh Freeman and Chase Daniels have been among the most entertaining quarterbacks to watch this season, Saturday will be no exception. We expect these two teams to keep the scoreboard flashing all game long. Missouri still has a lot to play for as the search for a Big 12 North title and Kansas State would love to spoil their party with an upset this weekend.

2. Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Texas Tech Red Raiders (-3.5, O/U 69.5)

Pick: Over 69.5 – Let us see why we like this game over… Texas Tech averages 47.0 PPG, Oklahoma State not far behind at 45.3. Both teams feature an offense that have explosive wide receivers, a great running back and solid quarterbacks. Play the over and win the game by the third quarter.

3. Oklahoma Sooners (-27.5, O/U 68.5 @ Texas A&M Aggies)

Special Pick: Parlay Oklahoma -27.5 & Over 68.5 – The Sooners have proven that their offense is unstoppable, especially in the first quarter of games. This week should be no different as we expect the Sooners to score early and often. Sam Bradford is a Heismen nominee and will look to continue his outstanding season as the Sooners are still in a hunt for a BCS Bowl bid. Take the Sooners and the over this week.

Remember to check back next week with out College Football Free Picks.

The BYU Cougars and the TCU Horned Frogs will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Amon Carter Stadium.

Oddsmakers currently have the Horned Frogs listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Cougars, while the game’s total is sitting at 43½.

Max Hall threw for 258 yards as BYU ran over New Mexico 21-3 in Week 7. BYU could not cover the 23.5-point spread, and the 24 points went well UNDER the posted total of 48.

Hall completed 22-of-34 with three touchdowns in leading BYU. Andrew George caught two TD passes in the win.

Joseph Turner and Aaron Brown each had rushing touchdowns to lead TCU past Colorado State 13-7 in Week 7.

Texas Christian couldn’t cover as 13-point road favorites as the game played under the 49.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
BYU has won 6 straight games.
TCU has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
BYU: 6-0 SU, 2-3 ATS
TCU: 6-1 SU, 4-2 ATS

BYU most recently:
When playing in October are 9-1
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When playing within the conference are 10-0

TCU most recently:
When playing in October are 7-3
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
BYU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
BYU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
BYU is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing TCU
TCU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
TCU is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
TCU is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing BYU

Next up:
BYU home to UNLV, Saturday, October 25
TCU home to Wyoming, Saturday, October 25

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The Hawaii Warriors and the Boise State Broncos will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Bronco Stadium.

Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 24-point favorites versus the Warriors, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.

Hawaii scored 21 points in the first half in Week 7 en route to a 24-14 win over Louisiana Tech.

The Warriors were only able to PUSH the 10-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night’s posted total (50.5).

Kellen Moore threw three TD passes as Boise State defeated Southern Mississippi 24-7 in Week 7. Boise State covered the 11-point spread, but the game’s 31 points fell well UNDER the posted total of 57.

Moore completed 21-of-30 pass attempts for 174 yards for Boise State. Austin Pettis caught two TD passes in the win.

Current streak:
Hawaii has won 2 straight games.
Boise State has won 5 straight games.

Team records:
Hawaii: 3-3 SU, 2-3 ATS
Boise State: 5-0 SU, 3-1 ATS

Hawaii most recently:
When playing in October are 9-1
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 9-1

Boise State most recently:
When playing in October are 10-0
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing within the conference are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Hawaii is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games
Hawaii is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hawaii’s last 6 games when playing Boise State
Hawaii is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boise State is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games at home
Boise State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Hawaii
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boise State’s last 6 games when playing Hawaii

Next up:
Hawaii home to Nevada, Saturday, October 25
Boise State at San Jose State, Friday, October 24

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The Vanderbilt Commodores and the Georgia Bulldogs will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Sanford Stadium.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulldogs listed as 14½-point favorites versus the Commodores, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.

Jeff Jennings and Chris Nickson caught touchdown passes for Vanderbilt in its 17-14 loss to Mississippi State in Week 7.

Mississippi State covered as 1.5-point home favorites as the game played under the 38.5-point total set by oddsmakers.

Mohamed Massaquoi caught five passes for 103 yards with a touchdown to lead Georgia past Tennessee 26-14 in Week 7.

Georgia failed to cash as 13-point home favorites as the game played under the 41.5-point total set by sportsbooks.

Team records:
Vanderbilt: 5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS
Georgia: 5-1 SU, 2-1-2 ATS

Vanderbilt most recently:
When playing in October are 5-5
When playing on grass are 5-5
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 4-6

Georgia most recently:
When playing in October are 5-5
When playing on grass are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Vanderbilt is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Vanderbilt is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vanderbilt’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vanderbilt’s last 7 games on the road
Georgia is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
Georgia is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Vanderbilt
Georgia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Georgia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Vanderbilt

Next up:
Vanderbilt home to Duke, Saturday, October 25
Georgia at LSU, Saturday, October 25

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The Syracuse Orangemen and the South Florida Bulls will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Raymond James Stadium.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 24-point favorites versus the Orangemen, while the game’s total is sitting at 49½.

Curtis Brinkley rushed for 144 yards on 28 attempts for Syracuse in its 17-6 loss to West Virginia in Week 7.

West Virginia failed to cover as 25-point home favorites as the teams played under the 48-point total set by oddsmakers.

South Florida was upset 26-21 by Pittsburgh in Week 6, as 13.5-point favorites at home. The 47 points went UNDER the posted over/under (50).

Matt Grothe completed 11-of-22 for 129 yards and a TD, while rushing for anther score in the loss.

Current streak:
Syracuse has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Syracuse: 1-5 SU, 2-3 ATS
South Florida: 5-1 SU, 1-4 ATS

Syracuse most recently:
When playing in October are 1-9
When playing on grass are 0-10
After outgaining opponent are 2-8
When playing within the conference are 1-9

South Florida most recently:
When playing in October are 4-6
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Syracuse’s last 5 games on the road
Syracuse is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Syracuse is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
Syracuse is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
South Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
South Florida is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
South Florida is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

Next up:
Syracuse home to Louisville, Saturday, November 1
South Florida at Louisville, Saturday, October 25

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