Week From Player Bogeyed

Golf Betting Lines

Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hugo Leon only managed an even-par 71 in Sunday's final round, but it was enough to earn the victory at the ATB Financial Classic. Leon finished at 13-under 271 and won by a stroke at Bearspaw Country Club. This was Leon's first victory on the Canadian Tour.

 

Last year's winner, and the 2008 champion Dustin Risdon, who shared the third- round lead with Leon, struggled to a two-over 73 and tied for third place with Richard Scott, who fired a five-under 66 on Sunday. The pair came in at 11- under 273.

 

Rodriguez birdied No. 6 to tie Leon, but a Leon bogey at the par-five seventh gave the tour's money leader sole possession of first place.

 

Leon's margin grew after Rodriguez double-bogeyed the par-four 10th. Rodriguez also bogeyed the 12th and Leon was four strokes clear of the field.

 

The defending champion fell three behind after a bogey at the 14th. Rodriguez parred his last five to get into the clubhouse at 12-under par.

 

Alex Coe and Brad Fritsch both shot even-par 71s and shared fifth at 10-under 274. Benjamin Alvarado shot a two-under 69 and finished seventh at minus- eight.

 

Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Martin Kaymer returned to third in this week's world rankings, despite a disappointing fourth-place finish at the Open de France. Kaymer supplanted U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy after just one week in third place.

 

Nick Watney earned his second PGA Tour win of the season at the AT&T National and moved up five spots to 10th. This marks the first time in his career that Watney made it into the top 10.

Wwwgoldenpalacecasino Golf Betting Blog

<< Hits In Detroit Florida

<< San Diego Joins Mariners In Beavan

<< Fashion Boosts Correia Over Game Notes

<< Hit On Games Base

<< Cardinals Against Carmona Spot

U.s. Women With Year Win >>

Last Season Down Hall Rapids >>

France Into Matches Loss >>

Yards Against Touchdowns Ricky Ray >>

Year On Tennis Ninth-seeded >>

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.