Friday Night NCAAF: West Virginia-South Florida Preview

The biggest college football game in the University of South Florida's brief gridiron history takes place on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

The winner of the game between No. 5 West Virginia MountaineersUSF Bulls (3-0) gets an early lead in the Big East standings and would have to be considered the league favorite. And USF will have the crowd on its side, as the school is expecting a sellout at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' stadium, which holds more than 65,000 people. A typical Bulls home game draws around 35,000.

"Some people will be experiencing our football games for the first time on Friday night, and it's going to be a blast," USF Senior Associate Athletic Director Bill McGillis said.

USF is a bit new to the national stage, receiving votes in The Associated Press preseason poll for the first time this summer and making its initial appearance in the Top 25 last week after upsetting Auburn. In addition, the Bulls went into Morgantown last season and upset then-No. 7 West Virginia 24-19. That victory ended the Mountaineers' eight-game home winning streak and is their only loss in Morgantown in nearly two years. And it gives WVU plenty of added motivation on Friday night.

"I said, 'You all know who is next.' They blurted it out," Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez said Saturday after his team defeated East Carolina 48-7. "People talk about revenge, but that's not a great motivator. They are excited about trying to play better than we did against them last year."

In that loss to South Florida, West Virginia's Steve Slaton - the nation's No. 2 rusher at the time - had his streak of six straight 100-yard games snapped as he ran for just 43 yards. The Mountaineers didn't score their first touchdown until midway through the third quarter and were limited to 132 yards rushing.

"We are focused right now. Its business," West Virginia wide receiver Dorrell Jalloh said Saturday."We can't fool around."

The Bulls will again have to stop one of the nation's fastest teams, especially on the ground. Behind Heisman candidates Pat White and Slaton, WVU is averaging 47.2 ppg and 525.0 total ypg; the rushing attack is averaging 357.0 ypg on 7.2 yards per carry.

"West Virginia has speed, lots of speed," said USF's George Selvie, the nation's leader in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (15). "I'm hoping to play fast ball and be relentless and swarm to the ball."

Meanwhile, the Bulls have a star of their own in QB Matt Grothe. The sophomore has thrown for 652 yards and completed 60.4 percent of his passes this season, with four TDs and no interceptions. He also has rushed for 88 yards and a TD. USF averages 30.3 ppg and 373.3 total ypg.

Grothe completed 22 of 30 passes for 279 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in last year's meeting, while White went 14-of-22 for 178 yards with two TDs and two picks.

West Virginia, though, has improved against the pass. The Mountaineers are allowing 186.3 passing yards per game after giving up 243.3 last season - 109th in the nation.

"We have to get pressure on (Grothe) but we also have to make sure he doesn't get loose on us. We will have to be disciplined," Rodriguez said.

Since joining the Big East for the 2005 season, South Florida is 11-2 at home.

"We know we're playing a great, great team coming in here. We're excited about the challenge," coach Jim Leavitt said. "We're going to have to play awfully good football to have a chance."

South Florida is a 7-point underdog on WagerWeb.com. I look for the Mountaineers to eke one out in Tampa on Friday night, but for the amped-up Bulls to cover or, at worst, make it a push.

Check out NCAA Football Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook!

(4-0) and No. 18

Southern Miss and Boise State NCAA Football Betting Preview

Thursday night's Southern Miss-Boise State matchup may feature two unranked teams, but it's an intriguing game between two programs with hopes, if not expectations, of breaking into the BCS bowls on a regular basis.

Last season, Boise State was the darling of the college football world. The Broncos went undefeated, earned a trip to the Fiesta Bowl, then beat Oklahoma in one of the best games ever played. Oh, and tailback Ian Johnson became a national celebrity with his postgame wedding proposal on national TV

"It's a program that I think everyone is trying to emulate if you're not a BCS school," Jeff Bower, the Golden Eagles' head coach, said of Boise State. "They arguably might be the best football team ... we face this year. I think there's a lot of things that make the game attractive."

Southern Miss, meanwhile, was similar to Boise State in the late 1990s, carrying the swagger of an upstart program.

Included in the preseason rankings, Boise State (2-1) crushed Weber State in the opener but then fell to Washington on the road, which took them from national spotlight, to the extent where the Broncos failed to earn even a single point in the AP poll. Boise bounced back with a victory over Wyoming.


The Golden Eagles (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA) beat Tennessee-Martin in their opener, then hung tough against the real Tennessee before the Volunteers pulled away late in a 39-19 loss on Sept. 8. Southern Miss responded the following week, beating East Carolina in the league opener.

This is the first-ever meeting between the schools.

Boise State is again led by Johnson, who may not have Heisman-like numbers, but is averaging nearly 100 yards a game on 4.7 yards per carry. QB Taylor Tharpe is a first-year start despite being a senior and is hitting 60.4 percent of his passes and throwing for 217 yards a game.With Tharp still getting comfortable at quarterback, opposing defenses are loading up to stop the run - a challenge Johnson says he relishes.

"Teams are preparing for us a little different than they did last year," Johnson said. "So you have to approach it with the mind-set that not every play is going to be a hundred yards ... or a touchdown. There are going to be times you have to cover up and take what you can get, and know that a four-yard gain in our scheme it a very good gain."

The Golden Eagles' offense is led by senior quarterback Jeremy Young and sophomore running back Damion Fletcher, who rushed for 1,692 yards last season, 11th best in the nation. In its first three games, Southern Miss has been hurt by turnovers, including three costly ones in the loss to Tennessee.

But Young is coming off his best game of the season, completing 18 of 28 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown, plus another two rushing TDs, in the 28-21 victory at East Carolina. Like Johnson, Fletcher is
off to a slower start than 2006, averaging 101.3 yards per game.

The blue turf of Boise could be the difference tonight, as the Broncos are 27-1 since 2003 at Bronco Stadium and haven't lost a regular-season home game since 2001, carrying a 38-game regular-season winning streak into tonight's game.

Southern Miss players say the won't be intimidated.

"We want to show the country that we can play," USM defensive end Robert Henderson said. "We want to show people around the country that we aren't a sleeper team that we can play with the big teams, even though they may not consider us a big team."

Boise State is a 10.5-point favorite on WagerWeb.com, and that number seems about right on. I expect a
Broncos victory, but Southern Miss covering is certainly not out of the question.

Bet on NCAA Football Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook !

Fantasy Football Update: Notable Injuries

Is it just me, or does it seem there are more big-name players injured this NFL season than any other?

Statistics show that there have been basically a normal amount of injuries so far, but from a fantasy point of view, there are several key ones to keep an eye on this weekend:

Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams): Rookie Brian Leonard gets the start for sinking St. Louis at Dallas, with the Cowboys big favorites at WagerWeb.com. Jackson has a partially torn groin (which just can't feel good), so expect him to be out longer than the one week that Rams officials are saying. Leonard is worth picking up.

Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers): Ward is doubtful against Arizona with knee problems. Nate Washington would start in his place and is worth a play against a bad Arizona secondary. Last year in a start for Ward, Washington had five catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.

Andre Johnson and Ahman Green (Houston Texans): The Texan's top offensive threat is Johnson, the wide receiver who will miss another week (and maybe more) this football season with knee issues. Andre' Davis is likely to get the start opposite Kevin Walter as the Texas get desperate at wideout. Green, meanwhile, is likely to sit with a knee injury, which makes Ron Dayne's value go way up. The Texans play the porous Falcons this week, so Dayne is worth starting.

Shaun Alexander (Seattle Seahawks): The 2005 NFL MVP has a crack in his wrist but is expected to play
through it. However, he had two dropped passes last week. Alexander owners need to pick up Maurice Morris pronto, as this injury will affect Alexander for the rest of the season.
Rudi Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals): Johnson says he will play in Monday night's game against the Patriots, and Johnson does have a history of playing through injuries. However, he was pretty bad against
Seattle last week, and backup Kenny Watson was very good. The tough part about this is that it is a Monday night game, and you may have to set your lineup on Sunday. I'd say go with Rudi here, but his owners should be grabbing Watson.

Deuce McAllister (New Orleans Saints): Deuce rolled snake-eyes in Monday's loss to the Titans. The 0-3
Saints are sinking fast. McAllister's injury means more work for Reggie Bush, which is good for his owners. Aaron Stecker should get some carries for the Saints in McAllister's place, but he's not worth picking up unless Bush gets hurt.

Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles): He was fabulous in the rout of the Lions last week but will be a game-time decision against the Giants this week due to an ab problem. Correll Buckhalter would get the bulk of the work in Westbrook's place against a bad Giants defense.

Jake Delhomme (Carolina Panthers): I'd stay away from the Carolina quarterbacks this week against the Bucs. Delhomme likely will miss a week or two with an elbow strain, meaning David Carr will start this week against surprising Tampa Bay. That's also bad news for receiver Steve Smith.

J.P. Losman (Bills): Buffalo's starting QB is out at least two weeks with a knee sprain. Rookie Trent
Edwards will get the call in Losman's place, but if you really need a Buffalo QB in your lineup, your team has problems. Unfortunately, this also hurts running back Marshawn Lynch's and receiver Lee Evans' value. Stay away from Buffalo offensive players, being my point.

The Bears defense: Wow, were the Bears battered in their Sunday night loss to the Cowboys. Defensive lineman Tommie Harris could miss up to a month with a knee sprain, cornerback Nathan Vasher at least a month with a torn groin, cornerback Charles Tillman is out two weeks with a sprained ankle, safety Adam Archuleta will try to play with a broken hand and linebacker Lance Briggs could be out Sunday with a groin issue.

What does this all mean? Well, the Bears are facing the pass happy Lions with half their starting defense likely missing and a very inexperienced secondary. Most times, you would always play the Bears defense if you had it, but pass this week. And play those Lions receivers, too!

Bet on the NFL Football Betting at WagerWeb.com

2007 NFL Review: Recap of Week 3

Week 3 of the NFL football season again showed us the three best teams in the league reside in the AFC (New England, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh), but that there is only one true power team in the NFC so far.

That would be "America's Team," the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas, behind QB Tony Romo and a potent offense, routed Chicago 34-10 in what most thought was an NFC Championship Game preview.

Well, Dallas looks like a championship-caliber team. With Romo looking polished, Terrell Owens breaking down defenses and a two-headed monster at tailback in Julius Jones and Marion Barber, Dallas can score on almost anyone. The Cowboys' defense had been in question until Sunday night's effort, but Dallas allowed only 239 yards to Chicago and had four takeaways.

So while Dallas is on a high, Chicago is in the depths, and a quarterback change could be in the offering on Wednesday.

Much-embattled Rex Grossman was terrible again Sunday night, going 15-for-32 for 195 yards and three interceptions. Grossman hasn't had a quarterback rating higher than 56.0 in any of the three games this season, and on Sunday it was an awful 27.5. Grossman
is 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has an overall 45.2 rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with a league-leading six interceptions and just one touchdown.And Coach Lovie Smith may be ready to pull the trigger on a QB change, as he said Monday:

"Will Rex Grossman start Sunday (against the Lions)?" Smith said. "Well, our evaluation process is going on right now, and if you come out to practice Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions."

The Chicago Tribune is reporting Brian Griese will get the call before Chicago's season self-destructs. Griese's last start was Oct. 16, 2005, a 27-13 win over Miami as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That same season, Griese threw for 302 yards in a 17-13 win over Detroit, this week's opponent. In six games with the Bears last season, Griese completed 18 of 32 passes for 220 yards with one touchdown and two
interceptions.

"You know, I haven't been part of very many quarterback changes in the middle of the season that I can remember," receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. "From what I've seen around the league, it could ignite a spark, it could be a time of struggle, it could go back and forth. I'm not sure exactly how this thing is going to play itself out."

Meanwhile, in addition to a bad offense, the Chicago defense saw starters Lance Briggs, Tommie Harris, Nathan Vasher and Ruben Brown all suffer potentially serious injuries.

The Bears are somewhat surprising 2.5-point favorites on WagerWeb.com for Sunday's game at 2-1 Detroit. This could be the rare instance of a line actually going up with a team's starting quarterback being benched, although one could argue this game is already make-or-break for the defending NFC champions.

Bet on NFL Football Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook!

MLB Baseball: National League Wild-Card Race

Heading into the final six games of the Major League Baseball season, the National League wild-card race is about as interesting as anyone could hope for.

Entering Tuesday, the Padres and Phillies are tied atop the wild-card standings, with the rampaging Rockies a game back and the Braves

Here's a look at the four teams battling for the final playoff spot in the senior circuit:

*-San Diego Padres: The Padres, despite being tied for the lead, may be the team in the worst shape to win the wild card. They have lost four games in a row after Monday's defeat in San Francisco, have lost outfielder Milton Bradley for the season after he tore his ACL while being tackled by his manager on Sunday, and outfielder Mike Cameron likely won't start this week because of a thumb injury - suffered, incidentally, when Bradley stepped on his hand in that same game Sunday. The Padres did acquire outfielder Jason Lane from the Astros to try and fill the holes for the remainder of the regular season. "We still determine our own fate," said Bud Black, San Diego's first-year manager. "For us and for the Phillies and for the Rockies and for the Diamondbacks, it's a six-game season. It's exciting. There are a lot of teams that would trade places with us." San Diego finishes with two more games in San Francisco and then four in Milwaukee. San Diego is +105 on WagerWeb.com for tonight's game against the Giants, with Brett Tomko taking the hill for the Padres. *-Philadelphia Phillies: Philly has been rolling, winning eight of 10 and still has a shot to win the NL East, just two games behind the Mets. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is making a case for NL MVP with a .293 average, 29 HRs, 90 RBIs, 132 runs and 37 steals. It's what Rollins did while stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley were injured that bolsters his MVP case. The Phillies have no pitching to speak of, but they rank first in the NL in runs, on-base percentage and slugging, among other categories. The good news for Philadelphia is its final six games are at home, where it is 43-32 on the season. Tuesday night, Atlanta comes to town to begin a crucial series. Chuck James faces Jamie Moyer in that game, with Philly -137 on the WagerWeb.com money line. After the Braves series, Washington comes to town for three. Philly is my pick to win the wild card.

*-Colorado Rockies: No team is hotter than Colorado. The Rockies have won eight in a row, including coming off a sweep of San Diego. Colorado has its own MVP candidate in Matt Holliday, who has a .337 average, 36 HRs, 131 RBIs and 113 runs scored. Holliday took Sunday off due to a strained oblique but says he will be back in the lineup Tuesday night when Colorado begins a series at the Dodgers. L.A. is a big -142 favorite on the WagerWeb.com money line with ace Brad Penny facing Colorado?s Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies finish the season with three games against NL West leader Arizona. The schedule seems too tough for Colorado to get in.

*-Atlanta Braves: Atlanta is the longest shot of this group, but the Braves have done just enough to stay in the race. Chipper Jones is having one of his best seasons in years, and pitchers John Smoltz and Tim Hudson give Atlanta a chance to win any time they pitch. The bad news is that Hudson and Smoltz are each only scheduled to get one more start, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, against the Phillies. Atlanta also has a tough road this week, with three at the Phillies, then three at Houston. Atlanta pretty much needs a sweep of Philadelphia, beginning tonight as Chuck James opposes Jamie Moyer, with Moyer's Phils -137 on the WagerWeb.com money line. As hot as Philly has been, don't expect an Atlanta sweep, so the Braves won't make the postseason for the second straight year.

Stay with WagerWeb for a preview of the final weekend of the baseball season as the races shake out.

Check out MLB Baseball Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook! still clinging to hopes three games behind.

Horse Race Betting Preview: Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won three races, finished second two times and ran third twice since Sept. 2.

BELMONT PARK

Trouble Maker: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth entering stretch, caught in traffic, rallied when clear making up 1 ½ lengths and finished well in fourth beaten a head, a half-length and a neck at six furlongs on the inner turf course Sept. 20; ran final quarter in 22 1/5.

Spurred: Broke next to last, raced sixth more than 12 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, came wide for the drive, worked his way through traffic in stretch from fifth, struck by rival jockey's whip, made up four lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a head at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf course Sept. 16; ran final three furlongs in 35 2/5.

Keen Irish: Raced 10th more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to last after six furlongs, advanced to sixth in stretch, altered course, finished well outside making up 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf on Sept. 8.

CALDER

Kiki's Honor: Bumped hard with rival at break, raced ninth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed well from fifth in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf courses Sept. 22.

Mr Guska: Bumped and checked between rivals at break, trailed by more than six lengths after three-eights of a mile, closed well from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at five furlongs on the turf Sept. 16.

Ed the Boxer: Trailed by 18 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced from eighth to sixth in stretch, closed well to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and gained second by a half-length at a mile on Sept. 1.

On Lake: Checked at start, trailed early, raced 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from fifth to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up more than three lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 25.

DELAWARE PARK

Saint Bonaventure: Broke last, race third early, dropped to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside from fourth in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on a wet fast surface Sept. 22.

Whoyouknow: Raced fourth more than a length behind after three-eighths of a mile, boxed inside through the turn, angled to middle of track in upper stretch losing ground, gained slowly on winner making up 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 16.

Brae Prospect: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth inside 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced steadily to third in stretch while losing ground, angled out four wide, closed late making up three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 8.

Taven's First Book: Pinched back to sixth after start, bobbled on heels of rival, raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed well outside from fourth, made up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 29 (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied to second in stretch and lost by a head at 5 ½ furlongs a wet fast surface Sept. 11.)

Tootsnmoneybags: Raced wide 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of mile, closed well from third to second making up nearly 4 ½ lengths and came up a nose short at five furlongs on July 30 at Philadelphia. (Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out wide rallying into stretch a half-length back in second and drew off by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 2 at Philadelphia Park.)

HAWTHORNE

Jazzy Gallop: Broke next to last, raced eighth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out on turn, advanced to sixth in stretch, made up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 22.

Class Ack: Raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to ninth after six furlongs, circled field seven wide to fifth in stretch, made up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 21.

Appeal With Zeal: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in upper stretch, rallied through traffic from fifth to second, made up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Aug. 29 at Arlington Park; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Raced third early, dropped to sixth more than two lengths back, wore down rivals entering stretch and drew off by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 21.)

LAUREL PARK

Gussie's Secret: Broke awkwardly, trailed by 13 lengths after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, closed well from fifth to make up seven lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at seven furlongs on Sept. 13.

Hands On: Raced fifth more than five lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch between horses from third, made up nearly three lengths and finished second a nose back at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 8.

Infatuated: Raced sixth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced very wide to third in stretch, closed willingly to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Sept. 8. LOUISIANA DOWNS

Thunderstone: Broke slowly, raced 10th early, dropped to 11th more than 21 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to seventh in stretch, closed well to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 26; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Rowdy Money: Raced seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out a bit for drive, closed well to make up 4 ¾ lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 26.

Feisty Commander: Raced eighth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 24.

Eccentric Girl: Led by a half-length after a quarter-mile, increased margin to 3 ½ lengths in stretch and hung on by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 23. (Broke well, set pace along rail, led by a length after a half-mile, steadily drew clear in stretch and won by 3 ¾ lengths ridden out at seven furlongs off the turf Sept. 13.)

Invading Deputy: Tracked pace in third 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, came three wide for drive, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on July 22. (Raced five wide into first turn, fog clouds view and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths in rainy conditions on a sloppy surface at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 2.)

Sammy Van Ammy: Raced five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to eighth after six furlongs, blocked along inside in upper stretch, angled out, closed fast to make up more than two lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a good turf course Aug. 19; ran final quarter in 23 4/5 at Monmouth. (Pressed pace early, was in front by a length after a half-mile, led by 1 ½ lengths after six furlongs, weakened in stretch and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 22.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Thermostatic: Broke next to last, trailed by more than six lengths after a half-mile, split foes rallying to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters a length at about a mile and 70 yards on the turf Sept. 16.

Rymar: Trailed early, advanced to sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied on turn, closed well in stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gain second by a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Sept. 8.

Cool Days: Raced third early, dropped to fourth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, fell back on turn, came again in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 2.

Box the Fox: Broke last, trailed early, advanced to seventh more than five lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, closed gamely from sixth to make up more than two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 25 at Delaware Park. (Raced seventh early, steadily improved position to fourth in stretch and finished third at 6 ½ furlongs on Sept. 8.

RETAMA PARK

Go Leroy Go: Broke in air last, raced seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced on turn to fourth in stretch and rallied inside to gain second by a head at six furlongs on Sept. 21.

Cat Bryde: Raced third early inside, dropped to fifth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, launched bid on turn, rallied in late stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 7 ½ lengths on the turf Sept. 21.

Nukeladen: Broke last, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung five wide in middle of turn, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a length at five furlongs on Sept. 15.

Lola Lola Lola: Broke last, bumped with rival after start, advanced to sixth more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed three wide from fourth in stretch, made up three lengths and finished second by three lengths at a mile on Sept. 7.

TURFWAY PARK

Bold Star: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled outside rival in upper stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 21.

Chugwater: Trailed by more than 19 lengths after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, closed fast inside to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on Sept. 16.

Candeed: Broke last, raced seventh early, move to fourth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, bumped by rival entering turn, angled out for drive, closed well to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Sept. 7.

Court Vision: Sluggish at start, trailed early, moved to sixth more than 5 ½ lengths after a half-mile, closed from fourth on outside making up more than five lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 7; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Wriggle: Broke alertly from outside post, raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, closed late to make up two lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on Aug. 24 at Arlington Park.


Check out great Horse Racing Betting Odds at WagerWeb Racebook.

Two Key Stakes Will Impact the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic

The Road to the 2007 Breeders' Cup Thoroughbred World Championships in Oceanport, N.J., goes through several towns, among them Florence, Ky., and Elmont, N.Y.

On Saturday, the 14^th Kentucky Cup Day of Champions at Turfway Park features five stakes worth $825,000 that will likely impact an equal number of BC races next month at Monmouth Park.

But the headliner is the $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic, which has served as a key prep for a half-dozen horses that hit the board in the BC Classic from'98 through'06. However, five KC Classic winners had to settle for second- or third-place money.

Ironically, Cat Thief, third in the '99 KC Classic, won the big one. I was at Gulfstream Park eight years ago when Pat Day guided the son of Storm Cat to victory despite a bumpy ride to the finish line 1 ¼ lengths in front in the 16^th BC Classic. The winner, eighth choice among the 14 entries, returned a generous $41.20.

The main attraction in this year's KC Classic is Kentucky Derby champion Street Sense. Carl Nafzger finally made it official after considering several races, including the 89^th running of the Jockey Gold Cup at Belmont on Sunday.

Nafzger decided he'd rather ship the son of Street Cry the shorter distance between Churchill Downs and Turfway instead of to Belmont. And, the trainer added, he preferred Street Sense going 1 1/8 miles instead of 1 ¼ miles.

Street Sense has been breezing well at the Louisville track. On Sept. 16, he went four furlongs in 48 3/5. Four days later, he traveled five furlongs in 1:00 3/5.Working the Travers winner twice in four days isn't unusual for his stable, Nafzger told Brisnet.com. "I always do that when I want a good work in and sharpen him up. We just wanted a good work and he worked like clockwork?"

His main opposition in a likely small field is Hard Spin, winner of the King's Bishop at seven furlongs on the Travers undercard. However, the son of Danzig has finished behind Street Sense twice in dirt routes-the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

At Delaware Park on Sunday, Larry Jones' trainee breezed five furlongs in 1:01 2/5. Hard Spun captured the Lane's End at Turfway six months ago in his only outing on a synthetic surface.

Meanwhile, Street Sense hasn't won in two tries, finishing second and third on Keeneland's Polytrack as a juvenile and a sophomore. But both preps preceded victories in last year's BC Juvenile and this year's Run for the Roses. Derby.

Remember that Street Sense has never finished out of the money in 11 starts, going 6-3-2 and earning more than $4 million.

On Sunday at Belmont Park, there are four stakes worth more than $2.3 million that will send even more hopefuls to the Breeders' Cup.

The feature attraction is the $750,000 Gold Cup that will pit two of trainer Todd Pletcher's best: Lawyer Ron, the nation's top older handicap horse with back-to-back triumphs in Saratoga's Whitney and Woodward, and Curlin, victorious in the Preakness while hitting the board in the other two legs of the Triple Crown.

Among those hoping to pull an upset are Political Force, winner of the Suburban who later ran fifth in the Woodward; Sun King, second in the Woodward; and Brother Bobby, runner-up in the Oaklawn Handicap and the Iselin BC Stakes.

Check out Horse Racing Betting Odds at WagerWeb Racebook!

0-2 Saints are looking for first win on today's Monday Night game. Tennessee Titans vs New Orleans Saints betting preview

Week 3 of the 2007 NFL season closes out tonight with the 1-1 Tennessee Titans traveling to 0-2 New Orleans, with the Saints -4 (over/under: 45.5) on WagerWeb.com.

Despite it being so early in the season, tonight is practically must-win for New Orleans Saints, the preseason favorite in the NFC. The Saints have been outscored 72-24 in losses to Indianapolis and Tampa Bay; the defending NFC South champs look to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1997.

Perhaps a return to the Superdome will help, as this will be the Saints' home opener. New Orleans players remain confident they can rebound from 0-2 to make the playoffs, as Kansas City did last year.

"They were a lot of people's preseason Super Bowl pick. They still have those same guys," Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "We know we're going to get a different team because it is their home opener and it's going to be a big emotional boost for them."

"By no means are we out of it," said New Orleans QB Drew Brees, who has thrown just one touchdown and three interceptions. "It sets you back, but it's nothing we can't overcome."

All of the hype for tonight's game focuses on the first pro matchup between Titans QB Vince Young and Saints RB Reggie Bush; Young, of course, led Texas to a thrilling national title victory over Bush's Southern Cal team on Jan. 4, 2006.



"You have two up-and-coming athletes who are really the faces of their franchises coming in and playing against each other on 'Monday Night Football' on the national stage. This game is all built up to be a great game," Bush said.

Bush's running back mate then, LenDale White, is with the Titans. Between White, Chris Brown and Young, the Titans average an NFL-best 211.5 rushing yards per game. New Orleans' backfield tandem of Bush and Deuce McAllister, meanwhile, combined for just 76 yards on 20 carries last weekend, and duo has yet to score a TD.

Defensively, New Orleans is allowing 391.0 yards per contest - second-highest in the NFC.

The Titans will try for their fourth straight victory over the Saints and third in a row at the Superdome. Jeff Fisher's club has gone 22-10 against the NFC over the past eight seasons.

However, look for a charged-up Bayou crowd to carry New Orleans to its first victory of the season.

Get your NFL lines and odds at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Win NFL Tickets here!

NFL Sunday Night Game: Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears

In a potential NFC Championship Game preview, the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys travel to Soldier Field on Sunday night to face the 1-1 Chicago Bears, with Chicago -3 on WagerWeb.com.

The Cowboys' offense has shredded the Giants and Dolphins, and Dallas leads the league with 82 points, their highest total after two games since 1971 (91). The Cowboys have gained the fourth-most yards in the league (830) and have won their first two games for the first time since 1999.

"You can't crown us champions right now," safety Ken Hamlin said. "It's only the second week of the season."

Tony Romo has made an early case as the NFL MVP, throwing for six TDs in the first two games, and he leads the NFC with a 119.3 quarterback rating. He has even rushed seven times for 47 yards and a touchdown.

"He made some scrambles that you don't see many people make, Brett Favre-ish," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said of his quarterback's play in last week's 37-20 win in Miami. "He made some really outstanding plays and he's still looking downfield all the time. That's what really amazes me about him. A lot of guys, they can get away from people at times but they don't see what's going on. He sees receivers."

The Bears, meanwhile, have issues at quarterback with Rex Grossman, who is averaging only 4.46 yards an attempt. The highly criticized QB has three INTs and a fumble, as the Bears have turned the ball over seven times - tied with Detroit for most in the league. This could lead to problems against the Cowboys' defense, which is tied with Minnesota for the league lead with five interceptions.



"I don't think you make any calls based on what you've done after two games," Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. "I think you need to go into the first quarter (of the season) a little bit. I think from the first to the second game, hopefully, you can see some improvement then. It doesn't always work that way. We are taking steps. ... I say give us a little more time. Hopefully, it'll be this week."

The defending NFC champion Bears have allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league (24) and the fifth-fewest yards (544). They defeated Kansas City 20-10 in their home opener last Sunday for their 13th win in 15 regular-season games at Soldier Field, holding 12 of those opponents to 10 or fewer points.

While the Bears defense again ranks among the best in the league, the offense has gained the third-fewest yards (441) and has scored the fourth-fewest points (16). Chicago is averaging just 11.5 points, about half as much as last season, although Cedric Benson is coming off the second 100-yard rushing game of his career. Chicago's time of possession is one of the NFL's worst at 27 minutes, 59 seconds a game.

Chicago's best threat is kick returner Devin Hester, but you can bet Dallas will be kicking out of bounds or pop-ups to keep the ball out of Hester's hands. The Bears' offense should get a boost with rookie tight end Greg Olsen set to make his regular-season debut.

Dallas hasn't beaten Chicago in a regular-season game on the road since 1984, and look for that to continue. As good as Romo has been, the Bears' defense will be up to the task, and "Good Rex" will show up Sunday night as Chicago makes an early-season statement.

Bet on NFL at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

2007 NFL Game: Chargers vs. Packers

The San Diego Chargers are coming off an embarrassing loss at rival New England, and they next travel to Lambeau Field to do battle against an improved Green Bay team.

The Chargers were thoroughly dominated in their 38-14 loss at New England, falling behind 24-0 by halftime. Young quarterback Philip Rivers looked like a deer in headlights for most of the game, going 19-for-30 for 179 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while LaDainian Tomlinson was held to just 43 yards on 18 carries. The Chargers held the ball for just over 24 minutes and committed three turnovers as a team while looking completely overwhelmed. The defense was not much better, giving up 407 total yards to the Patriots, and this game has made a lot of people question whether the Chargers have what it takes to compete with New England and Indianapolis in the AFC.



The Packers jumped out to a 2-0 start with a convincing 35-13 win at New York over the Giants last week, and Brett Favre showed shades of his glory days with a vintage performance. The veteran quarterback was 29-for-38 for 286 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, and he was moving in and around the pocket like he did in the mid-90s. Donald Driver continues to be Favre's go-to receiver, catching eight passes for 73 yards and a major, as he is showing no ill effects from a preseason foot injury. Meanwhile, the Packers' defense allowed 325 yards to the Giants and forced two turnovers while generally harassing Eli Manning all game. The Packers are very underrated on defense, as this was clearly the strength of the team last season.

The Chargers enter this big matchup as 5-point favorites on the road, and this is a more important game than San Diego would like it to be. The Chargers must prove they can rebound in the face of adversity, and it is imperative that Tomlinson get as many touches as possible. The Packers have to use their home-field advantage to stay with the Chargers, while Favre has to limit his mistakes against a fast San Diego defense.

Odds (WagerWeb)
San Diego: -5
Green Bay: +5 (O/U 43)

Check out great NFL Football Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook.

Washington Redskins look to keep the New York Giants down

The New York Giants are attempting to avoid going 0-3 to start the 2007 NFL season as they head to FedEx Field on Sunday to meet a Washington team that is determined to avoid another finish in the NFC East basement.

The Giants were pounded 35-13 at home by the Green Bay Packersinjury that occurred in Week 1's loss at Dallas. Manning played gamely, but the Packers kept him from getting in any type of rhythm. The Giants held the ball for just 25 minutes, which left their defense on the field against a rejuvenated Brett Favre. However, Derrick Ward was a bright spot after stepping in for the injured Brandon Jacobs at running back, going for 90 yards on 15 carries for the Giants on the day.



The Washington Redskins defense would bend but not break in Week 2's 20-12 win at Philadelphia on Monday night. Washington allowed 340 yards to the Eagles, but were dominant in the red zone by holding Philadelphia to four field goals. Jason Campbell was 16-for-29 for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Santana Moss had a good game as well with six receptions for 89 yards for the Redskins, who used offensive balance to get the better of Philadelphia in front of one of the most hostile crowds in the league.

The 'Skins come in as a 3.5-point favorite at home, and this would have to be considered a make-or-break game for the Giants - to fall to 0-3 on the season is a large hole to climb out of, and this will be a real test of their mettle. The 'Skins can make a big statement of their own with an emphatic win over their division rivals this week, and the team seems to be gaining more confidence in Campbell under center with each passing game. Look for the 'Skins to cover the spread against a struggling and injured Giants team.

Odds (WagerWeb)
New York Giants: +3.5
Washington: -3.5 (O/U 40.5)

Bet on the game now! Get your NFL betting odds at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook last week, and there are people wondering whether Eli Manning should have played at all in that game. The young quarterback was 16-for-29 for 211 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but he was clearly bothered by the shoulder

2007 NFL Game: Texans vs. Colts

A pair of 2-0 teams will go head-to-head at Reliant Stadium this weekend when the Houston Texans host the defending football

The Colts battled to a tight 22-20 win at Tennessee in Week 2, with Indianapolis forcing the Titans into two turnovers. Peyton Manning was his usual surgical self last week, going 28-for-42 for 312 yards and one touchdown, but he did throw his first interception. Joseph Addai ran for 81 yards and a score on 20 carries, showing that he can keep defenses from keying on Manning and his band of receivers. Rookie Anthony Gonzalez had three catches for 49 yards on the day, and he looks like he is comfortable with the complex Colts offense. The defense did a good job in containing Tennessee quarterback Vince Young, but they also gave up 141 yards on the ground. This could an ongoing trend throughout the season.



The Texans beat the Carolina Panthers 34-21 on the road last week behind Matt Schaub and an aggressive and opportunistic defense. Schaub is finally getting his chance to lead a team after three years with the Falcons as Michael Vick's understudy, and he is making it count as he went 20-for-28 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Andre Johnson caught seven passes for 120 yards and two majors, but the talented receiver is out with a knee sprain this week. The defense forced three turnovers from the Panthers, including Kevin Walter's recovered fumble in the end zone to put Houston up 31-14.

The Colts come into this game as a 6-point favorite on the road, and the key to this matchup will be the absence of Johnson for the Texans. Johnson is their top receiver, and no one else on the Texans has proved they could be considered as a No.2 receiver, much less a No.1 receiver. Also, the Colts' offense, led by Manning, will prove to be too strong for the gutsy Houston defense, as they generally tend to not make many mistakes.

Odds (WagerWeb)
champions from Indianapolis.Indianapolis: -6
Houston: +6 (O/U 47)

Visit WagerWeb Sportsbook for NFL Football Betting Odds!

NFL Betting Sunday: San Francisco 49ers - Pittsburgh Steelers Preview

In one of two games involving 2-0 teams on Sunday (Colts-TexansSan Francisco 49ers travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Pittsburgh -9 on WagerWeb.com.

Other than New England, Pittsburgh has been the most impressive team in the NFL so far. The Steelers have allowed an NFL-low 10 total points in beating Cleveland and Buffalo. Under first-year coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has won each of its first two games by at least 20 points. The Steelers haven't started 3-0 since 1992 - their first year under Coach Bill Cowher, who resigned in January.

Pittsburgh usually has a stout defense, and its two-week sack total of 10 is tied for the league lead with Minnesota, while the turnover ratio of plus-3 is good for a second-place tie in the AFC. And the offense is doing more than its share. The Steelers are outgaining opponents 393-222. QB Ben Roethlisberger has five touchdown passes and only one interception and running back Willie Parker has 235 yards rushing on 50 carries.

The Steelers are 14-1 in games where Parker reaches triple digits on the ground.



"Willie opens it up for us when he has 100-yard games," wide receiver Nate Washington said. "Teams have to try to stack the box (to slow Parker), but when we're making plays as receivers they have to respect us, so they can't stack the box anymore."

Meanwhile, all Roethlisberger does is win. The fourth-year man is 10-1 in lifetime meetings with NFC foes, tossing 15 TD passes and posting a QB rating of 101.5.

For the first time in nine years, the 49ers are 2-0. But a lot of that had to do with their revamped defense - not to mention a little bit of luck down the stretch. If the Niners want to improve to 3-0 against the 2005 Super Bowl champions, they need a much better performance from quarterback Alex Smith. So far, Smith is 26-for-48 for 252 yards and has a mediocre 69.1 passer rating. The Niners are 5-0, incidentally, when Smith achieves a QB rating of at least 95.0.

Frank Gore represents the bulk of the San Francisco offense. He has run for only 136 yards on 38 carries through two weeks, but he has already scored three times, which is tied for the league lead.

"In the two wins we have, we didn't play our best football all around, (but) this league, it's something different now. Sometimes you're going to win ugly," defensive tackle Bryant Young said.

However, the 49ers got some bad news this week when starting outside linebacker Manny Lawson's anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee was torn in practice.

Lawson, a No. 1 draft choice in 2006, is one of the keys in San Francisco's 3-4 defense; he was tied for second on the team with safety Michael Lewis with 14 tackles (8 solo, 6 assists). He also had a half sack and one pass defensed.

Pittsburgh outside linebacker James Harrison, meanwhile, has been cleared to play despite being carried off the field on a stretcher last weekend.

Look for Pittsburgh to cover in this game.

Bet on NFL at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook
being the other), the semi-surprising

Notre Dame Fights For Redemption - Notre Dame vs Michigan State Betting Preview

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are off to their worst start in recent memory, but they can take a step towards changing that direction when they host the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday.

The Spartans are 3-0 so far this season after a tough 17-13 win at home over Pittsburgh last weekend. The defense did its part by allowing 292 yards, including only 85 through the air, and they coaxed three turnovers from the Panthers - one of which was returned for a major. Brian Hoyer was efficient by going 14-for-28 for 183 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, while Javon Ringer (20 carries for 92 yards) and Jehuu Caulcrick (21 carries for 71 yards, one touchdown) formed an effective one-two punch out of the backfield.

But the downside to this victory for the Spartans was their run defense, which gave up 207 yards, and Hoyer's inability to get the Spartans down the field. Hoyer has some big shoes to fill after the graduation of Drew Stanton, and it will be interesting to see how the junior quarterback does under the lights of a nationally televised game.



The Irish are off to a 0-3 start after their 38-0 pummeling at the hands of Michigan last weekend, in which Notre Dame was down 31-0 by halftime. The offense was the main culprit in this loss, as freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen was 11-for-17 for 74 yards and a pick while the Irish gained only 79 yards of total offense all day. This group also committed four turnovers, while running for a grand total of minus-six yards on the ground. While expectations for the Irish were low this season, head coach Charlie Weis is living something of a nightmare with this horrible start to the season.

The Spartans are 12-point road favorites in this week's contest, due in part to the fact that the Irish have scored only 13 points over their first three games. This will be the first road game of the season for Michigan State, and while a visit to Notre Dame is usually a difficult trip to make, the Spartans should find things relatively comfortable this weekend in South Bend.

Get your college football betting lines at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Wisconsin Badgers vs Iowa Hawkeyes betting preview

Students and supporters of No. 9 Wisconsin have lofty expectations for their football team this season, and the Badgers will get a chance to start living up to those expectations when they begin their Conference slate with a home game at Camp Randall Stadium against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday night.

The Hawkeyes are coming off of a tough 15-13 loss at rival Iowa State, falling on a last-second field goal. Iowa quarterback Jake Christensen scored the only touchdown of the game on an 11-yard run, and he also went 12-for-23 for 118 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. However, the offense gained only 233 yards as a unit, and their inability to score points should be noted. The defense had a good game in a hostile environment, giving up 300 yards and forcing the game's only turnover on a fumble recovery. After two solid wins over Northern Illinois and Syracuse to start the season, the Hawkeyes should be feeling confident.



The Badgers are a perfect 3-0 after a 45-31 win over The Citadel, in which Heisman hopeful P.J. Hill ran for 168 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries, while also catching a pass for another major. Hill is one of the nation's top running backs, but he does not get as much attention as West Virginia's Steve Slaton, Arkansas' Darren McFadden, or fellow Big Ten back, Michigan's Mike Hart. But Hill is a player who can take over games at will, something that will come in handy as the season wears on. Tyler Donovan was good at keeping the defense honest, going 14-for-20 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. If there is a downside to this victory for the Badgers, it is that they gave up 377 yards of offense to a team that had no business staying with them for three quarters.

The Badgers are 7.5-point favorites at home in this matchup. The Hawkeyes will need to contain Hill as best they can to have a shot at upsetting the Badgers.

Bet on college football at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Bulldogs desperate to win - Georgia vs Alabama betting preview

A key SEC showdown takes place Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as No. 16 Alabama hosts No. 22 Georgia, with the Tide -3.5 on WagerWeb.com.

Nick Saban has made an immediate impact with the 3-0 Crimson Tide, as Alabama is back in the Top 25 for the time since 2005 after last week's win over Arkansas.

Expect a close game, as the last two games between these teams at Bryant-Denny Stadium have been. In 2002, Georgia won 27-25 on a 32-yd field goal by Billy Bennett with 38 seconds remaining. In 1994, Alabama won 29-28 on a 32-yd FG by Michael Proctor with 72 seconds remaining.

Georgia pretty much has to win this game to have hopes of winning the SEC East, as the Bulldogs have lost a conference game already. Alabama, meanwhile, comes in on a high after coming from behind to win for the first time in 22 games.

The Crimson Tide are 23rd nationally in pass efficiency defense, but Georgia coach Mark Richt says the Bulldogs will try a vertical passing game.

"You want to sustain the drive. You don't want second-and-10. But sometimes you have to open it up. We need to do it more than we have," Richt said.

One key could be that Georgia will start three freshmen on the offensive line - left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, left guard Chris Davis and right tackle Clint Boling.

"None of those freshmen should be playing, to be honest with you," Richt said. "But they are."

Concerning for Alabama, despite last week's big win, is that the offense committed three turnovers, the defense gave up 450 yards to Darren McFadden & Co. and a 31-10 lead in the third quarter before rallying.



Just like Arkansas, Georgia features a strong, massive offensive front (albeit young) that could create matchup problems for Alabama's young defensive line.

So with a good offensive line, a talented quarterback in Matt Stafford and a solid group of running backs, the Bulldogs bring an offense to Tuscaloosa that could present problems for an Alabama defense that's one week removed from a very draining, physical game.

"Georgia is an outstanding team," Saban said. "They do a great job of executing on offense, have a fine young quarterback and have good skill players and running backs. (Georgia's) defense is physical and fast. Actually they are probably the fastest team we've played so far. It will take one of our best performances to play against an outstanding Georgia team this week."

Under Coach Mark Richt, the Bulldogs have won the last two meetings with Alabama, most recently a 37-23 victory on Oct. 4, 2003 in Athens. The Tide, though, lead the all-time series 34-23-4.

Look for a desperate Georgia team to eke out a victory this week.
College football betting lines at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook