 |
 Basketball Betting |
 |
||||
|
 |
||||
|
||||
Bowden feted before final FSU gameNCAA Football Betting Lines01/01/2010 - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Bobby Bowden had all eyes on him again Friday, likely for the final time. The hours leading up to kickoff of Friday's Gator Bowl between Florida State and No. 18 West Virginia were filled with tributes to the retiring Seminoles coach, starting with thousands of people lining a rainy path to greet Bowden and his wife, Ann, as they walked into the stadium. More than 350 of Bowden's former players were there as guests, dozens of photographers tried to capture every moment, and the 80-year-old coach acknowledged that it all touched him deeply. ``I'm very excited. Ann and I are very excited to be here in front of the Seminoles and also the Mountaineers,'' Bowden said from the field to a sold-out crowd moments before kickoff. ``I couldn't help but get nostalgic when I heard the West Virginia band play their fight song. And then also, to hear the Seminoles play ours.'' Bowden, who announced his retirement Dec. 1, got a rare treat as well. One of Florida State's most revered traditions at home games is to plant a flaming spear at midfield. To commemorate his final game, Bowden took the spear from Chief Osceola - a nod to the Seminole Tribe of Florida - hoisted it toward the Seminoles' sideline and slammed the point into the turf. It was one of many pregame highlights for Bowden. He agreed to the ``Bowden Walk,'' despite the 52-degree temperature and steady rain that pelted 2 1/2 hours before kickoff. When the Florida State caravan arrived, Bowden emerged and made his way through an estimated 10,000 fans, holding an umbrella with one hand and waving to well-wishers with the other. Fans were packed six-deep along both sides of the route, many of them chanting ``Bob-by! Bob-by!'' and doing the familiar Seminole war chop. Once in the locker room, he was greeted by many of his former players, Deion Sanders and Chris Weinke among them. ``This game is all about honoring Coach Bowden,'' Florida State linebacker Dekoda Watson said. Bowden, who'll retire as the second-winningest coach in major college football, came onto the field about 10 minutes before his players. He stood with his wife and watched a 5-minute tribute video as much of the crowd - both sides of the stadium, since Bowden also was West Virginia's head coach from 1970 through 1975 - roared in delight. When the video ended, Bowden was given a new car, a gift from the Gator Bowl. ``Thank you so much for this car,'' said Bowden, who also served as the grand marshal of Thursday's Gator Bowl parade. ``I don't know what Ann's going to drive.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Petersen agrees to 5-year deal with Boise State
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -Boise State coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a 5-year contract through 2014.The school announced the agreement at Fiesta Bowl media day on Friday. Financial terms were not revealed and athletic director Gene Bleymaier said
<< Troops get their own New Year's bowl moment
<< Report: Arenas and Crittenton draw guns in Wizards locker room
<< Skidding Thrashers try to beat Sabres for seventh straight time
<< Buckeyes battle Ducks in Rose Bowl
Boise State coach Petersen agrees to five-year contract >>
Scottsdale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boise State head football coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a five-year contract through the 2014 season. The school made the announcement at the Fiesta Bowl media day. Financial terms of the de
Byrum kicks Auburn to overtime win at Outback >>
Sturm's OT goal gives Bruins win at Winter Classic >>
Florida State sends Bowden out with Gator Bowl win >>
Johnson helps Purdue take down West Virginia >>
Football BettingNFL Football Betting OnlineThe San Francisco 49ers (5-11 SU, 5-10-1 ATS in 2007; 1-1 SU & ATS in pre-season) found some offensive life last week, and they will try to build some momentum on Thursday night as they travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (7-9 SU & ATS in 2007; 0-2 SU, 0-1-1 ATS in pre-season) in an NFL matchup that is set to get underway at 8 PM ET at Soldier Field (natural turf) in Chicago. Thursday, August 21 NFL betting odds: CHICAGO -3 (-120), Total 37 NOTABLE STAT: San Francisco was last in points, last in total offense in 2007 In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Bears are listed as a three-point favorite (laying -120), with the total posted at 37 points. Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season): * SF has lost 11 of its last 14 games SU Well, I guess we should congratulate the Bears on making their quarterback choice for the season's opening game, as they have designated Kyle Orton the starter against Indianapolis. The Bears obviously have lost patience with Rex Grossman, and what they do with him at this point is anybody's guess. But suffice it to say that there isn't a quarterback competition anymore, at least in training camp. Meanwhile, the quarterback competition may also be settled in San Francisco, where the Niners bounced back from a lackluster 18-6 loss to the Raiders, in which they turned the ball over four times, to execute a 34-6 rout of the Packers last Saturday. However, coach Mike Nolan has stopped short of saying that, insisting that the job is still open. But J.T. O'Sullivan, the longshot of the trio of Niner signal-callers who opened camp, will start his third straight pre-season game here. Against Green Bay, O'Sullivan was only 8-for-17, and was intercepted, but he also threw for 9.1 yards an attempt, which included a 59-yard TD pass to Josh Morgan. The others struggled. Some offensive cohesion is badly needed, in light of the Niners' dismal 2007 campaign, in which they were dead last in the NFL in scoring, with just 13.7 points a game. And O'Sullivan is the guy who is most familiar with offensive coordinator Mike Martz's exacting system, because he learned it last year in Detroit. O'Sullivan will go at least the entire first half and may even last longer. He'll be relieved by Alex Smith, with Shawn Hill doing the mop-up work. Three receivers who were out last week - Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle - will miss this game too. That may hurt a little here, especially since the Bears will be using a lot of their defensive starters. And it's the defense that has been keeping the Bears in games thus far. In fact, the defense and special teams were responsible for the first 19 points Chicago scored against Seattle last time out, as the offense really struggled with Grossman at the controls. But maybe the first-team offense has a chance to settle a little bit as it works more with Orton at the helm. Certainly we have concerns about the Bears' offensive line, but we like the scenario for them here, especially if O'Sullivan doesn't make some bis plays. The Niners may have nowhere else to turn right now, and they have lost seven straight road games in the pre-season. Let's take Chicago, the three-point favorite in the NFL football betting odds. CHICAGO -3 (-120) ** The 2008 NFL betting lines season is almost upon us! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join sportbook today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLIII and beyond! Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds . |
|
