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02/27/2007 - Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Florida Gators have lost two of their last three games, and they will attempt to get back to their winning ways as they battle the Tennessee Volunteers tonight in Knoxville.
On Saturday, the Gators dropped a 66-56 decision to LSU on the road, and while they do own a perfect record at home, their play outside of Gainesville hasn't been as consistent. Still, Florida has already clinched the outright SEC regular season title as it prepares to contend for a second straight national championship. With all five starters back in place, the Gators have won 25 games this season and are considered a favorite by many fans and analysts to repeat.
Tennessee is playing outstanding ball right now, as it has won its last two games and five of the last six to improve to 20-9 overall and 8-6 in conference. On Saturday, the Vols recorded an 83-72 decision over Arkansas on the road, and they carry a 15-0 home record into tonight's tilt.
Florida beat Tennessee in a 94-78 final on February 3rd, but the Vols own a 63-48 advantage in the all-time series.
Florida point guard Taurean Green does not receive a great deal of national praise, but he has been outstanding all season. Green is scoring 13.0 ppg on 40.9 percent shooting from three-point range, and he is an 86.5 percent free throw shooter. Add 99 assists to the mix and his value can not be overestimated. Al Horford checks in with 12.9 ppg on 59.7 percent shooting from the field, and he is pulling down 8.8 rpg to go along with 49 blocks. Corey Brewer is contributing 12.7 ppg, and Joakim Noah posts 12.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 51 blocks. Lee Humphrey, the fifth starter, is a 45.7 percent shooter from behind the arc who is scoring 9.9 ppg. Florida is averaging 79.5 ppg on 52.7 percent shooting from the field this season, and it is holding foes to just 60.8 ppg on 40.5 percent efficiency. In the loss to LSU, Florida suffered a 35-22 rebounding deficit and missed 10 of its 22 free throws. Horford had 13 points and nine rebounds in defeat.
Tennessee guard Chris Lofton is arguably the best backcourt performer in the SEC, and he poured in 31 points in the victory over Arkansas last time out. JaJuan Smith added 16 points for the Vols, and Wayne Chism posted 14 points. The Vols were outscored 21-13 from the foul line and surrendered 51 percent shooting to Arkansas. Fortunately, Tennessee forced 24 turnovers and committed a mere 11 giveaways. Lofton is averaging 20.8 ppg this season and is a strong candidate for SEC Player of the Year. The star guard is shooting 41.9 percent from three-point range and 83.6 percent from behind the arc. JaJuan Smith is scoring 15.1 ppg, and Ramar Smith adds 10.3 ppg. Tennessee is racking up 80.2 ppg while allowing 74.7 ppg to the opposition.
<< Report: Livingston's season over
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Clippers guard Shaun Livingston
will reportedly miss the remainder of the season because of a severe knee
injury suffered Monday night.
Livingston dislocated his left knee early in the
<< Twins sign P Crain to three-year deal
Fort Myers, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins agreed to terms with
pitcher Jesse Crain on a three-year contract through the 2009 season.
The 25-year-old Crain went 4-5 with a 3.52 earned run average and one save in
68 appearanc
<< Moose, Bulldogs tighten North Division Race
Springfield, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It may still be cold outside, but its
getting hotter in the North, where two points separate the divisions top
three teams as the American Hockey Leagues 2006-07 season sees February give
way to March.
The
<< Omaha netminder takes top AHL honors
Springfield, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American Hockey League announced today
that Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights goaltender Curtis McElhinney has been named the
CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 25, 2007.
McElhinney
Capitals welcome Panthers to Verizon Center >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Panthers will attempt to continue their recent
success against the Washington Capitals when the two Southeast Division
members get together tonight at the Verizon Center.
Florida has won 11 of the last 14 match
'Canes aim to keep playoff hopes alive against Sens >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes appear to be back on track towards
securing a playoff berth. Tonight the defending Stanley Cup champions aim for
a third consecutive victory when they host the Ottawa Senators at the RBC
Center.
Ca
First-place Canucks wrap up road swing in St. Louis >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks hope to complete a four-game road
trip on a positive note tonight, when they visit the St. Louis Blues at
Scottrade Center.
So far the Canucks have earned a point in each stop on the tre
Streaking Canadiens begin road swing against Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Having re-discovered their winning ways, the Montreal
Canadiens begin an important road trip tonight at Madison Square Garden
against a New York Rangers team in desperate need of a victory.
The Canadiens have rebounded str
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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