2010 FBS Positional Analysis: Tight Ends

NCAA Football Betting Lines

07/09/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The collegiate tight end has traditionally received little-to-no fanfare, except for the truly exceptional in that category. However, the position remains a quarterback's best friend. Whether it is serving as the ultimate relief valve in the middle of the field, or blocking both in passing and running situations, a talented tight end can create mismatches and make a real difference in any given game.

A look at the top FBS tight ends heading into 2010:

KYLE RUDOLPH, NOTRE DAME

The favorite to win the Mackey Award as 2010 commences, expect Rudolph to flourish in Brian Kelly's offensive system. The 6-6, 265-pounder is coming off a sophomore season in which he flashed great potential, grabbing 33 balls for 364 yards and three TDs. If he remains healthy, he has first-round NFL talent. A big target with wide receiver-type skills, Rudolph is poised for a big season, regardless of who earns the QB job in South Bend. With All-American talent in Michael Floyd on the outside and Rudolph at TE, it is hard to imagine whoever is under center struggling for an extended period of time with the Irish.

WESLYE SAUNDERS, SOUTH CAROLINA

This Gamecock certainly passes the eyeball test. A huge target at 6-6, 273 pounds, Saunders could also receive a first-round grade come draft time. His size and athleticism jump out at you. He hauled in 32 balls as a junior, for 353 yards and three TDs, but his modest numbers had a lot to do with inconsistency under center. With better play from the QB position this year, Saunders could put up bigger stats. South Carolina won't vie for an SEC crown in 2010, but playing in the top conference in the country should allow Saunders to showcase his talents week-in and week-out.

D.J. WILLIAMS, ARKANSAS

Williams had a huge sophomore season in 2008, leading the Razorbacks in receptions (61), receiving yards (723) and receiving TDs (3), en route to All- American accolades and a spot as the school's first-ever Mackey Award semifinalist. His numbers tailed off considerably in 2009, with just 32 receptions for 411 yards and three scores, but with steadier play under center from Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallett, Williams could return to his 2008 form this season. He has decent size (6-2, 250) and is a veteran presence who has seen it all. Arkansas is not an elite SEC squad, but Bobby Petrino has put his stamp on this offense and will undoubtedly utilize his assets to the fullest this year.

LANCE KENDRICKS, WISCONSIN

There is plenty of hype surrounding Wisconsin heading into 2010, as the Badgers are the front-runner for the Big Ten title in the eyes of many. Their talented tight end is one of the reasons for the optimism. At 6-4, 239 pounds, Kendricks is more of an oversized receiver than conventional tight end, and finished 2009 with 29 receptions, 356 yards and three TDs. In his final outing, he torched Miami for seven catches and 128 yards in the Champs Sports Bowl. Head coach Bret Bielema has all the pieces in place in 2010, including a devastating ground game and solid play under center, assets that can only help open things up for Kendricks and allow him to soar to the next level.

ORSON CHARLES, GEORGIA

The Bulldogs have an All-American on the outside in A.J. Green, which should help the development of the ultra-talented Charles, as there will likely be plenty of room for him to roam. The 6-3, 235-pounder isn't especially big for the position, but his talent is in catching the football and making plays after the catch. He showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman in 2009, earning Freshman All-American honors when he appeared in 12 games with three starts and finished the year with 23 receptions, for 374 yards and two TDs. The goal for Georgia is to return to elite status in the SEC, and if the Bulldogs are to attain that, expect Charles to have big numbers when all is said and done.

GEORGE BRYAN, NC STATE

Bryan emerged as the ACC's top tight end in 2009, earning First-Team honors after catching 40 balls, for 422 yards and six TDs. He may not get the publicity that other TEs around the nation get, but the 6-5, 265-pound senior has developed into one of the better players at the position. The Wolfpack are still trying to return to ACC prominence, but may be a year or two away, especially if talented QB Russell Wilson (a recent fourth-round selection of the MLB Colorado Rockies) decides to forgo the rest of his eligibility to concentrate on his baseball career. Still, regardless of who is under center, expect Bryan to see plenty of balls thrown his way.

JOE HALAHUNI, OREGON STATE

Mike Riley's Beavers are an offensive juggernaut, with playmakers at all the skill positions. That includes tight end, where Halahuni reigns supreme. He plays more of an "H" back for OSU, but really came on strong down the stretch in 2009, finishing the year with 35 receptions for 486 yards and three TDs, despite starting just two games. The 6-2, 252-pounder continues to improve and this could be the year he really bursts on the scene. With the talented Rodgers' brothers garnering most of the attention in Corvallis, Halahuni will have a great opportunity to exploit matchups in 2010.

BEN GUIDUGLI, CINCINNATI

Butch Jones takes over for the departed Brian Kelly and has the unenviable task of trying to hold onto the momentum gained by two straight Big East crowns. However, the cupboard isn't exactly bare at Cincinnati and the Bearcats will head into 2010 with a solid QB under center in Zach Collaros and Guidugli at the TE position. Despite being undersized at 6-1, 239 pounds, Guidugli was effective as a junior in 2009, grabbing 27 balls, for 364 yards and three TDs. The younger brother of former UC signal-calling star Gino Guidugli, Ben has steadily improved his numbers each year, and 2010 should be no different. A third conference crown may be too much to ask, but expect Guidugli to remain a key weapon in the Cincinnati arsenal.

KAVARIO MIDDLETON, WASHINGTON

The rebuilding process in the Pacific Northwest continues for head coach Steve Sarkisian, and there is some real talent, especially on the offensive side of the football, that has the Huskies fan base interested. All-American candidate Jake Locker is poised for a huge 2010 before taking his talents to the NFL and with targets like Jermaine Kearse and Middleton, big numbers are likely. The 6-5, 253-pound Middleton showed his potential as a sophomore, finishing 2009 with 26 receptions for 257 yards and three TDs. With Locker feeling more and more comfortable in the pocket, expect Middleton's numbers to increase significantly in 2010.

CHARLIE GANTT, MICHIGAN STATE

Unlike the aforementioned players on this list, Gantt is more of a "lunch- pail" type of tight end. The 6-5, 255-pound Spartan will do anything to contribute, and is a solid blocker who continues to improve as a receiver. Gantt earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2009, finishing the season with career-highs in receptions (22) and receiving yards (348). MSU finished 2009 just under .500, and if the Spartans fail to build on a six-win season, it won't be due to a lack of effort from Gantt.

OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Luke Stocker (Tennessee), Mike McNeill (Nebraska), Anthony Miller (California), Kevin Koger (Michigan), Willie Jefferson (Baylor), Jordan Reed (Florida), Jeffrey Anderson (UAB), Kendrick Moeai (Utah).

Wwwgo2hk NCAA Football Betting News

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.