Wisconsin riding 14-game home opener win streak

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/10/2010 -

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -Wisconsin wants to shoot down the No. 1 comparison that's sure to be made Saturday when the 11th-ranked Badgers take on San Jose State: How would Wisconsin fare against Alabama?

The Spartans lost 48-3 to the top-ranked Crimson Tide last Saturday and San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre believes Wisconsin and Alabama are similar in style.

``They both have very good running games, they both have really good tailbacks, have experienced quarterbacks that know what they're doing. Defensively, they fly around,'' the coach said. ``It's going to be a very stern test.''

Wisconsin is a 38-point favorite against the Spartans and the Badgers only want to talk about winning their 15th straight home opener.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said people naturally will compare the two scores, but they've kept that chatter out of the locker room.

``It's a thought that goes through your mind,'' Bielema said. ``But you're more focused on what San Jose State is doing.''

One big difference in this game is that the Spartans will face Wisconsin's John Clay after avoiding reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram last week.

The 252-pound Clay ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns in 17 carries in a 41-21 victory over UNLV in Las Vegas last Saturday.

``As you watch teams play them, they have to tackle him low. If you tackle him high you have no chance,'' MacIntyre said. ``The guy's a big, strong running back. The good thing about it is the second-teamer they bring in is only 5-11, 242, so they get a little smaller as it goes.''

That would be sophomore Montee Ball, who went for 79 yards and two more touchdowns on 16 carries. Freshman James White added 59 yards on 11 attempts and caught three passes for 37 yards.

Besides the running backs, Wisconsin's offensive line averages 323 pounds and the Badgers debuted a backup offensive lineman, Ryan Groy, as their newest fullback at 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds. Groy later switched uniforms at UNLV and played on the offensive line in the second half.

``The first series, we tried to ram it down their throats,'' said Groy, who took about 15 snaps at fullback. ``I was used a lot more than I thought I would be. I was really excited about it.''

Wisconsin is looking closely at making changes on its offensive line and quarterback Scott Tolzien said the competition is a sign of depth. The left side is set with pro prospects Gabe Carimi at left tackle, John Moffitt at left guard and Peter Konz at center.

On the right side, former walk-on Ricky Wagner, who earned a scholarship last week, is challenging starting tackle Josh Oglesby. Bill Nagy and Kevin Zeitler remain in competition for the guard slot there.

``Competition brings out the best in you,'' Tolzien said. ``The most eye opening thing for me is to see how those guys work. ... They don't say too much, they just grind and work and work and work.''

San Jose State quarterback Jordan Le Secla will need to be more efficient against the Badgers after the Spartans converted just 1 of 13 third-down attempts. MacIntyre said many of those failed conversions were his team's fault, not the defensive effort of Alabama.

San Jose State has netted more than $1 million for the games against Alabama and Wisconsin after reportedly turning down a $450,000 guaranteed game at Arizona State for a much sweeter offer from the Badgers. MacIntyre wishes the Spartans were playing closer to home, but said it's important to play marquee programs.

That means traveling more than 1,700 miles each way in consecutive weeks and starting Saturday's game at Camp Randall Stadium when it's 9 a.m. back in California.

``I think it's worth it for the athletic department and our young men to play in those type of games and that type of atmosphere,'' MacIntyre said. ``They'll use (the money) for our programs and help with the budget situation. We are in the black and that's part of the reason, which is good for our whole university, not only athletically but academically.''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.

Nflchancepoker NCAA Football Betting News

<< Funk among leaders in South Korea
Songdo, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tradition winner Fred Funk, Michael Allen and Jay Don Blake each posted rounds of three-under 69 on Friday to share the opening-round lead of the Posco E&C Songdo Championship. This was th

<< No. 6 Huskers' Martinez to measure self vs. Idaho
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -After passing his trial run as Nebraska's starter, Taylor Martinez can strengthen his grip on the quarterback's job with another strong outing Saturday against Idaho.Martinez won over his teammates, not to mention the fans, in la

<< Report: NCAA looks into Tennessee basketball program
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NCAA has reportedly looked into the Tennessee men's basketball program as part of an overall investigation into the school's athletics program. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported Thursday,

<< No. 11 Wisconsin on 14-game home opener win streak
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -Wisconsin wants to shoot down any comparisons with another top ranked team that could be made Saturday when the 11th-ranked Badgers take on San Jose State.The Spartans lost 48-3 to No. 1 Alabama last Saturday and San Jose State c

<< Wyoming, mourning death of player, faces Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -The Wyoming football teams says they will play this weekend in honor of a fallen teammate.The Cowboys play at No. 5 Texas on Saturday night. Before the game, Ruben Narcisse's photo will grace the giant stadium scoreboard screen a

No. 7 Oregon, Tennessee meet for 1st big test >>
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Justin Wilcox had to stop and rewind the tape on Oregon running back LaMichael James a few times to make sure it was playing at regular speed.The Tennessee defensive coordinator thought for a moment he was watching on fast-for

2010 World Basketball Championship update - September 10th >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CLASSIFICATION ROUND Spain vs. Slovenia, 11 p.m. Russia vs. Argentina, 2 p.m.

EIU ready for Sean Payton ceremony >>
Charleston, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off Thursday's season-opening win, Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints will have his jersey number retired by his alma mater, Eastern Illinois University, during the Panthers' h

Elon QB Riddle on verge of SoCon record >>
Elon, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Elon senior quarterback Scott Riddle will become the Southern Conference's all-time leader in passing yardage if he throws for 79 yards against Division II Shaw on Saturday. Riddle, the active passing leader at th

Mawae calling it a career >>
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Long-time NFL center Kevin Mawae will reportedly announce his retirement. The Tennessean said Mawae, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, has scheduled a press conference for Friday afternoon to make i

Big East Conference odds

Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence

Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.

Work left to do:

Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.

Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.

DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...

West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.

Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.

For more March Madness odds go to MySportsbook.com

For more College Basketball betting lines go to BettingExpress.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.


Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back

With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.

"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."

Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .

Get all your baseball betting lines, MLB lines and MLB team props at the My Sportbook.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your baseball sportsbook needs.