BYU seeking independence?

NCAA Football Betting Lines

08/20/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There are rumblings coming out of Provo, Utah.

The chatter involves BYU's bid to become an independent in football, while moving from the Mountain West to the WAC for all other sports. The Cougars would like to fashion themselves as another Notre Dame, and with this proposed move, the university would take one step closer to completing the transformation.

The Irish are obviously the model in terms of creating an independent product that garners national attention year-round, one that comes complete with a huge television deal and their own set of BCS rules (automatic acceptance into a BCS Bowl if the team finishes in the top eight).

BYU and its non-BCS brethren have been trying to get the attention of the BCS for years, with little or no acknowledgement. While that sentiment has changed a little over the last few seasons, it is still a problem that rears its ugly head every December.

Tired of waiting, other schools have made recent moves toward rectifying the situation. Boise State has left the WAC and will join the Mountain West next season. While that seems like a somewhat lateral move, it also seemingly moved the MWC closer to gaining access to the BCS party than the WAC, especially with a lineup that was to include BYU, Utah, Boise State and TCU.

But the first domino that fell the wrong way for the Mountain West was Utah's move to a new 12-team Pac-10 (to be re-branded as the Pac-12), as BYU's main rival moved to the world of BCS riches. That couldn't have sat well on the BYU campus, nor throughout the fan base.

BYU's potential move would seem to move the Mountain West farther from the BCS pot of gold.

The league wasted no time when told of BYU's possible move, inviting both Fresno State and Nevada to join the conference. It was a necessity to do something, or everything gained by the young conference recently may have been for nothing.

MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson is trying to make a positive out of a huge negative, but I'm not sure even he believes that adding the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack, while losing the Utes and Cougars, is a good thing for the conference. Neither of those new additions has the tradition or resources of the Utah-based behemoths.

Meanwhile, there is perhaps a bigger picture for BYU, which is first and foremost a school that looks to promote the Mormon faith. In that vein, this move makes a lot of marketing sense. Reaching as many people around the country and the world is the main goal in Provo, and if the team follows the blueprint set by the Irish, independence could be a step in the right direction.

BYU however, doesn't have a national television contract like Notre Dame has with NBC. BYU-TV is already in place, but needs the recognition and reach that will only come if the Cougars set themselves free of a conference schedule peppered with lesser competition. The school's ability to put together a killer, nationally-based schedule is the key here. Notre Dame plays powerhouses on a regular basis and lands those deals because of the network exposure and money involved.

BYU doesn't generate that same type of appeal to opponents or to mainstream viewers, at least right now. SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten teams may think twice about taking on a dangerous BYU team, especially late in the season when they can see a shot at the national title within grasp. It's too risky on the field, and not beneficial enough off right now in terms of marketing or finances.

BYU would like assurances from the BCS that the program, if independent, will gain automatic access to a BCS game if it meets certain criteria, much like Notre Dame. That could be the key here to the whole thing, though after sticking its neck out and threatening to leave the Mountain West, the university might be forced to adopt a "if we build it, they will come" mentality.

If the Cougars can put together a tough schedule year-in and year-out and maintain success, the BCS will no longer be able to ignore them, regardless of any guarantees.

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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds

Will he or won't he?  Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.

Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.

"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."

Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.

Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.

Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback.  It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.

Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1


Atlanta Falcons 50-1


Baltimore Ravens 15-1


Buffalo Bills 50-1


Carolina Panthers 18-1


Chicago Bears 10-1


Cincinnati Bengals 15-1


Cleveland Browns 100-1


Dallas Cowboys 15-1


Denver Broncos 15-1


Detroit Lions 100-1


Green Bay Packers 50-1


Houston Texans 100-1


Indianapolis Colts 6-1


Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1


Kansas City Chiefs 30-1


Miami Dolphins 40-1


Minnesota Vikings 75-1


New England Patriots 10-1


New Orleans Saints 18-1


New York Giants 20-1


New York Jets 30-1


Oakland Raiders 100-1


Philadelphia Eagles 18-1


Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1


Saint Louis Rams 60-1


San Diego Chargers 6-1


San Francisco 49ers 75-1


Seattle Seahawks 20-1


Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1


Tennessee Titans 40-1


Washington Redskins 50-1

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Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year

Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.

With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.

Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.

Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.

Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

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