Brazil, Portugal battle for top spot in Group G
Soccer Betting Lines
06/24/2010 - Durban, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brazil has already secured a spot in the second round after wins in its first two Group G matches, while Portugal is on the verge of advancing following a 7-0 destruction of North Korea last time out.
A draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday would allow Brazil to win the group, while Portugal would claim the second spot, but predicting how this match will go is something that is difficult to do. Both sides would secure first in the group with a victory.
Portugal played an ultra conservative game in its opening match against Ivory Coast, which ended in a 0-0 draw, but turned on the style against North Korea, scoring six times in the second half.
"It was a great display with good goals and the right attitude," Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz said following the North Korea game. "We needed a game like this, but we have to remember that we've not won anything yet. The most important thing is to secure qualification."
Portuguese winger Simao also talked about staying grounded after the match, and he will not be content with his team until they have reached the next round.
"Our goal has always been to get through to the round of 16 and we're close now," Simao said. "The game against Brazil is an important one and nothing's decided yet."
In order for Portugal to be kept out of the last 16, it would need an epic collapse against the Brazilians while Ivory Coast would have to hammer North Korea to overturn a massive edge in goal difference for Portugal.
Brazil star Kaka received two late yellow cards in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast last time out, meaning he will miss the match through suspension, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar is already looking for his team to fix a few small problems as they prepare for the next round.
"We were drawn in one of the most difficult groups, if not the most difficult," the goalkeeper said. "We were a bit nervous in our opening game. Anxiety had taken hold, but I knew that we'd play better and that's why we've come off the pitch happy. Yet again we've conceded a goal, but at least we've let them in at moments we could afford to. We're going to need to iron out a few flaws ahead of the knockout stages, so we don't make any more mistakes."
Portugal will likely play a more conservative game against Brazil as they try to keep their third clean sheet in as many matches to round out the group stage, while Brazil's attack will provide a good test for goalkeeper Eduardo, who has faced just five shots in the competition so far.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING
NCAA Football BettingMany fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)
"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."
Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins
There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins
Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.
USC Trojans - 10.5 wins
A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.
Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy
Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.
"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."
Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1
The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1
If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.
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