[Tommy]

December 15, 2005

With two Heisman Trophy winners sharing the backfield, a mercurial quarterback leading an undefeated powerhouse, and a defending national champion considered to be one of the best college teams ever assembled, this year’s Rose Bowl is certain to live up to all the hype and expectations.

Bodog.com bookmakers list No. 1 USC as a 7.5-point favorite to repeat as national champion and defeat No. 2 Texas on January 4, 2006, in Pasadena, Calif. The Rose is the culmination of an NCAA postseason that features 28 bowl games and Bodog.com has odds on each one.

“Although I am looking forward to all of the exciting college bowl games , the Rose Bowl stands out – and it should,” says Calvin Ayre, Founder and CEO of Bodog.com. “This year’s Rose Bowl features the two teams who were favored to be here when Bodog.com bookmakers posted the odds at the beginning of the season. Both USC and Texas have garnered a large amount of action from bettors throughout the year, and we expect to see a lot more interest leading to this game that will decide the national champion.”

Betting trends are a good indicator of the mindset of the public, so perhaps it is no coincidence Bodog.com bookmakers report that most of the betting action has been on the Trojans to cover the 7.5-point spread. During the season, bettors w ere more inclined to wager on games involving the Trojans than on those featuring Texas. However, those who bet on Texas were far more profitable.

Though USC went undefeated, it only beat the spread in half of its 12 games. In fact, during one stretch in October, the mighty Trojans failed to cover in four straight games. On the other hand, Texas (12-0) went 10-2 against the spread, the best record of all Division 1-A teams.

In the two days prior to the Rose, the three other BCS games will be played. On Jan. 2, the Fiesta Bowl features two 9-2 squads as 4-point favorite Ohio State battles Notre Dame. That night, Georgia (10-2) takes on West Virginia (10-1), a 7.5-point underdog, in the Sugar Bowl. On Jan. 3, Florida State (8-4) meets Penn State in the Orange Bowl; the Nittany Lions (10-1) are favored by 7.5 points.

In notable non-BCS games, UCLA (9-2) is a 3-point favorite over Northwestern (7-4) in a Vitalis Sun Bowl tilt that could be the highest scoring of all the games. The two explosive offenses meet on Dec. 30 in El Paso, Texas.

Also on Dec. 30, South Carolina and coach Steve Spurrier face Missouri (6-5) in The Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. The Gamecocks (7-4) are 4-point favorites.

Two powerhouse programs face off in the Alamo Bowl as Michigan (7-4) takes on Nebraska (7-4) on Dec. 28. The Wolverines, currently favored by 11.5 points, are expected to leave San Antonio with the win.

In the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22, a talented Cal team meets the surprising BYU Cougars (6-5). The Golden Bears (7-4) are 7-point favorites.

For more information on Bodog’s NCAA bowl game lines, odds and props see http://www.bodog.com/sports-betting/...e-football.jsp

[Tommy]

I will more than likely be playing Texas in this game

[Wigington]

Hook 'em all day long!

[Wigington]

Texas +7.5
Texas ML

[naught33]

USC rolls here, no way texas can stop that offense..i think texas will hang for a half but carroll a better coach than brown and itll show in the 2h

[QuickNick]

I think it will be one of the best bowl games to watch this year and whomever gets the breaks most likely will cover late in the game. I am going to have to do some heavy capping in this game and my 1st thoughts were to take Texas and the 7.5, but, now I am going to wait to make a call!!!

[Wigington]

Naught, has this year taught you nothing. USC has a soft defense especially in the short passing game and Texas will expose this. Fresno St almost won SU, same with ND. Texas has a great chance of winning SU. Better & quicker defense. Both offenses are equally matched. Looking at stats I believe Texas was #1 in offense and USC #2. USC has came from behind in so many games and you can only do that for so long. Don't watch sportscenter so much that they have you brainwashed that USC is unstoppable. There were games like Arizona St, ND, Fresno St etc. I do have a tremendous amount of respect for the Trojans and there could not be a better opponent. The fact that Trojan backers see a -6.5 makes them drool, but do not be suprised if Texas covers and/or wins SU. One factor a lot of people do not take into account is USC has not had to defend an athletic QB like Vince. He is a threat on the ground and through the air. I like Texas' chance in the Rose Bowl getting 8 points!

Hook 'em!

[naught33]

cmon wig, dont pull that fresno st and nd almost beat usc crap on me buddy....both those teams are solid...texas almost lost to OKLAHOMA ST, a bottom feeder big 12 team....usc will roll all day over texas...the only texas team which wins championships is the spurs, where is the trojan horse!

[naught33]

i also forgot texas struggled w a poor a and m team without their best player....and when was the last time mack brown won a big game or usc lost a game? no way usc loses this game, i hope ppl pound texas cause the line will drop and ill be all over usc like a hooker riding some cock for $500.

[Wigington]

You sound so sure of yourself! Well go ahead. I am not promising anything, but think Texas has a great shot. Don't give you that they almost lost? Did you see the scores on the Fresno St game. USC only won by 8. USC pulled it out in the last seconds agsint ND. Was the come from behind win in the Rose Bowl against Michigan not a big game? I guess bowl games aren't big unless USC is playing them right? You wanna talk about OK ST? Do you remember the score? Texas as flat 1st half, but they adjusted. Didn't they win by 24? No excuses, but every team has an off day where they don't perform like they should. Texas vs A&M. USC vs Arizona St. Both games neither Texas or USC looked their best but they won. You sound like a journalist re-write with the when is the last time Mack Brown won an important game? When is the last time Pete Carroll lost? I am aware of USC's streak and it could continue on January 4th, but streaks do end. This is why they are streaks. You sound very confident with your USC. I hope you are wrong

[Wigington]

On another aspect of this game is defense. You cannot begin to tell me that USC has a better defense. Look, lets get past the ESPN Sportscenter Hollywood bullshit of USC. I will say offense edge goes to USC because they have more weapons.
Defense goes to Texas. USC biggest defensive weakenss is the short pass and Texas will attack this. If you look at stats USC gives up a lot of yards, the reason why they have stayed undefeated is because of their offense. I believe that you can only rely on Bush for so long. If Leinart gets rushed early he will have problems adjusting. He has never had to scramble or worry about the defensive line. Pressure will be something new to him. So Naught do you feel confident laying 8 points with USC?