2009 CFL Western Preview - Saskatchewan Roughriders

Football Betting Lines

06/23/2009 - Regina, SK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FACTS & FIGURES: Division - West. 2008 Record - 12-6. Playoff Result: Lost, 33-12, to British Columbia in the West Division semifinals. Stadium - Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field. Capacity - 30,945. Colors - Green, white, black and silver

The Roughriders captured the 2007 Grey Cup, but following that accomplishment head coach Kent Austin departed for a position at Ole Miss and offensive coordinator Ken Miller became the man in charge. Despite countless injuries, Miller's squad jumped out to a 6-0 start in 2008 and looked the part of defending champions. The Roughriders, though, went just 6-6 the rest of the way and had to settle for a second-place finish in the CFL's Western Division. Although they boasted the second-best record during the regular season, the Roughriders were quickly ousted by British Columbia in the playoffs.

If Saskatchewan hopes to compete for another championship, it will need to find stability at quarterback. Darian Durant is expected to be the go-to guy this season after being part of last year's quarterback carousel. The ultra- athletic Durant can be electric, but he has been prone to mistakes and that is the biggest fear with letting him loose. Last season, Durant threw for 1,122 yards and seven touchdowns prior to suffering broken ribs. He should only improve on those numbers as the starter and he shouldn't be looking over his shoulder as backups Steven Jyles, Juan Joseph and Dalton Bell are all relatively inexperienced.

The return of Wes Cates will surely help ease Durant's transition into a full- time starter, as the 6-0, 215-pound tailback is one of the elite players in the CFL. Cates ranked second in the league in rushing yards (1,229) and first in rushing touchdowns (12) last year, and he is the type of player that can do it all. He carried the ball a whopping 216 times last season, so finding a serviceable backup will be important in order to keep Cates fresh.

Along the offensive line, Gene Makowsky and Jeremy O'Day return to form a solid nucleus and they should receive help from 2008 draft choice Jonathan St. Pierre. The Roughriders were one of the top rushing teams in '08 and they figure to be strong again thanks to this solid group of linemen.

At wideout, the Riders have several intriguing options and none more exciting than Weston Dressler. The 5-9, 164-pound import burst on to the scene last season, catching 56 balls for 1,123 yards and six touchdowns, earning CFL Rookie of the Year honors. Mix in slot back Andy Fantuz (36 catches, 488 yards) and prized free agent signee Jason Clermont (a three-time 1,000- yard receiver) and Saskatchewan has group it can certainly count on from week to week.

Saskatchewan relied on its stout defense to win games last season, but the departure of defensive coordinator Richie Hall and several key contributors will make things more difficult this time around. New coordinator Gary Etcheverry, however, has plenty of experience in the CFL and enough pieces in place to make this a solid group once again. Scott Shultz anchors the defensive line and the veteran tackle will be counted on to stop the run as well as provide valuable leadership.

The Riders lost two of three linebackers from a year ago, but the return of Sean Lucas gives the team some stability in the middle. Lucas really came into his own in 2008 and led the team in tackles with 95. He, however, will be accompanied by a relatively inexperienced group, putting more pressure on the rising star.

In the secondary, Saskatchewan will again be guided by Lance Frazier, who paced the team with five interceptions last season. Frazier, along with Eddie Davis (66 tackles) and a few new acquisitions, will help fill out a secondary that may need some time to gel before becoming effective.

As for the special teams, Jamie Boreham will once again handle the punting chores, while Luca Congi will continue with the kicking duties after making 38-of-44 field goals last season.

The Riders have some talent on the offensive side of the ball, but they will need Durant to play like a veteran if that unit is to be successful. Defensively, there is a lot of uncertainty considering the change of coach and several new faces, so this unit can not be counted on like last season. Overall, this year's club has a lot of question marks surrounding it and that could lead to a bit of a decline.

Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Finish: Third

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Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting

So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.

Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?

If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)

Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).

In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.

Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.

The Bubble Breakdown
CONFERENCE LOCKS SHOULD BE INS AT-LARGES TAKEN
(assuming no auto bid outlier)
ACC Betting Odds 6 0 5
Big East Betting Odds 5 0 4
Big Ten Betting Odds 2 2 3
Big 12 Betting Odds 3 0 2
Pac-10 Betting Odds 5 1 5
SEC Betting Odds 4 0 3
MVC Betting Odds 1 1 1
MWC Betting Odds 2 1 2
TOTAL 28 5 25

As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.

(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)

If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech

The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.

 

Work left to do:

Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.

Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).

Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

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It's less than a month until the NHL hockey betting season opens at MySportsbook.com and preparations are underway for another battle in the race to hoist Lord Stanley's mug in 2007.

As cup crazy fans prepare to place their bets, one online sportsbook ,MySportsbook.com, is offering hockey betting lines on the 2007/2007 Stanley Cup , who will bring it home this upcoming season.

Despite a poor showing in last season's playoffs and the loss of Steve Yzerman to retirement, the Detroit Red Wings are early favourites at this online sportsbook with wagering odds of 6-1. The Wings will look to offensive powerhouse Pavel Datsyuk and newly appointed captain Nicklas Lidstrom to lead one of the league's most prominent franchises.

Always a threat are the Ottawa Senators, with newly acquired goaltender Martin Gerber from the Stanley Cup champion ,Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens are second best in the rankings at a 7-1 bet, and odds makers at this sportsbook are optimistic that the Ottawa squad will fare better than last season's Eastern Conference semi-final upset to the Buffalo Sabres.

Also worth noting are the defending Stanley Cup champs Carolina Hurricanes, a 10-1 bet to repeat. Behind the Canes are the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks all sit at 12-1. In the basement are the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and St. Louis Blues who all have 100-1 odds to win.

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