Two teams with BCS Bowl aspirations continue their journey this Thursday night and with a simple click of your mouse, you can do some online gambling from the comfort or your home or wireless computer. In order to bet on these games it's wise to arm yourself with some pertinent information so as to give you the best opportunity to pad your account.
Fort Worth, Texas will be the first stop as the surging TCU Horn Frogs welcome the Mormon boys of BYU. Coach Gary Patterson has been lobbying anyone who will listen for more respect for his troops. After disposing of the high flying Texas Tech Red Raiders he certainly has the sports betting public's attention!
In winning their 13th straight game TCU's winning streak is the longest in NCAA Division I-A, and one short of the school record. The record streak included the Frogs' undefeated national championship in 1938, when quarterback Davey O'Brien won their only Heisman Trophy.
How impressive was their 12-3 victory over a team that had beaten them 70-35 in their previous meeting in 2004? The only other time the Red Raiders (2-1) didn't score a touchdown in Mike Leach's 79 games over the last seven seasons was in a 56-3 loss to Nebraska in 2000, the coach's first year. They scored less than 10 points only one other time, a 42-7 loss at Texas in 2001.
What is equally impressive is the fact that TCU is playing this great without the services of their top two senior running backs Lonta Hobbs and Robert Merrill. Brigham Young's defense played host to Jeff Ballard's coming-out party 366 days ago, allowing the Texas Christian quarterback to engineer a stunning rally that ended successfully in overtime.
Since coming off the bench in the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Ballard has never lost. With an 11-0 record as a starter, he trails only Sam Baugh (12) for most consecutive wins by a TCU quarterback. With his team behind 34-17, Ballard relieved the injured Ty Gunn in the third quarter. He engineered touchdowns on all five possessions.
Without question, TCU will see an improved defense. Through four games, BYU's starting defense has allowed seven touchdowns this season. The Cougars allowed at least five touchdowns in five games last season. BYU, which didn't allow a point to Utah State, is coming off its first shutout in seven years.
Considering the fact that TCU is 7-2 against the point spread in their past 9 betting games and has covered the past 5 straight, you would think they are money in the bank. Or how about that this is a conference game and TCU is a sizzling 8-1 in their past 9.
Are you thinking about placing a bet on the over/under total that hovers around 47-48 points? Last years score was 51-50 and the over is 8-2 in BYU's last 10 road games and 8-2 on grass. TCU loves the over total as they are 9-4-2 in their past 15 home games and 11-5-1 in their past 17 night games.
When visiting your favorite online sportsbook remember that BYU in has already played in two hostile environments this season, at Arizona and out Northeast at Boston College. They acquitted themselves very well and have a talented QB in John Beck.
Bob Acton
Online Sports Betting |
