Number one ranked Kentucky versus the NCAA championship hopefuls Georgia? Appears like a recipe for a crushing defeat, specifically as Kentucky barely regained that coveted No. 1 location on the rankings for the 1st time in the prior two months. While the Wildcats are at the top of the rankings and enjoying an eleven game win streak, the Bulldogs can best be described as sporadic thus far in the season.
The Niner devoted are at last able to see their much loved team from San Francisco in the playoffs but following a long vacation from the playoff season, are the Niners all set to play vs the offensive machine that the New Orleans Saints have? This is probably one of the most interesting 1st round playoff contests in the nfl and this January 14th fight in NFC will sponsor two teams who have certainly worked difficult to get to this position. The Niners were able to amass a 13-3 record while the New Orleans Saints had the same record.
The AT&T Center might get some long distance action on Jan 13th as the Trailblazers go to San Antonio to battle against the Spurs. Portland is a young team seeking to build up as the brief but electric Brandon Roy era officially ended with his retirement in December. Former #1 pick Greg Oden has additionally had repeated issues with his knees as Portland apparently cannot shake the ghost of Sam Bowie. The Spurs expect to defend their court with impressive plays from their regular constant roster. The Spurs are favored by 8 points and this wants to be an excellent bet.
The Kings have their work cut out for them when they take on the Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a case of both teams reconstructing for the future as both teams look nothing like their early 2000′s heydays. The Kings look to return to their previous popularity in the west with stellar play from their youthful stalwarts. The Houston Rockets are still handling the fallout from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Houston Rockets are favored by 3 points by the oddsmakers and this wants to be a challenging game to call.
On January 8th, postseason ncaa football comes to Mobile, AL when the Arkansas State Red Wolves face the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both teams arrive in the game with rookie head coaches with the Huskies led by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Interim head coach David Gunn who has been the running backs coach all year heads the Red Wolves. Arkansas State has appointed Gus Malzahn who will take over after the year ends. The take from the sportsbook is currently Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under established at 63 points.
It’s not only the Division I-A colleges getting face time on ESPN, on January seventh the NCAA Division I-AA Tournament game is performed at Pizza Hut Park in Fricso, TX. The Bison face the Sam Houston Bearkats in a fight of the two greatest small colleges in the nation. Both the Sam Houston Bearkats and the North Dakota State Bison have steamrolled their opponents all year long and both are also coming into play with comparable styles on offense. As the defenses are going to get a workout, anticipate plenty of running and plenty of 1st downs by each squad. The sports book is having a tough time with this one as the line currently is currently at North Dakota State (-1) with the over-under established at 46.
The Pittsburgh steelers are matched up against the Denver broncos in the nfl post-season. The Pittsburgh steelers concluded as a wild card with an extraordinary record of 12-4 in the AFC North division, whereas the Denver broncos ended up with an 8-8 record narrowly claiming winners of the AFC West. The Pittsburgh steelers will be going to Denver to face off against them at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
It all boils down to this as the #1 rated Tigers take on the #2 rated Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January 9th. After winning the national tournament in 2009 and also winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this match. LSU head coach Les Miles is also no stranger at this moment as he has won the national tournament in 2007. 2 great teams and head coaches clashing on a collision course in what is certain to be a great game. The odds makers currently have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under established at 40 points.
After finishing with the best record in the league a year ago, and getting terminated in the 1st round by the Packers, the Atlanta Falcons pray that slipping into the playoffs undetected in 2012 will give them better results. Atlanta finished 10-6 this year, earning them a 1st round wild-card match with the NFC East winning New york giants (9-7).
The unpleasant specter of the Lockout had loomed big over the NBA landscape until earlier this month. With both the competitors and the owners ultimately arriving at a contract, the NBA has effectively tipped off in earnest over Christmas weekend. The NBA welcoming committee goes to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. when the Boston Celtics (1-3) face the Washington Wizards (0-3). Both squads come into play with unreliable records and a slow beginning to the season. The sportsbook appears to have the nod on the greater team as the line presently stands – Boston (-7) 184 ½ .
