SC +775 to win it all in 2009

[stats13]

I like this bet. Immense value for what probably is the most talented team in the country. I think Corp/Barkley/Mustain will be sufficient at QB. The LBs coming in will be solid. SC is still a beast, they coulda hung with Florida in the title game just fine last year.

It all comes down to not losing a stupid game like they always seem to do lately.

[gremlin]

Greek has USC and Texas both at +800 to win it. I'm pretty tempted on both of those, but like many others here, don't fancy having the money tied up that long. If only I could bet on credit...

[ATB515]

+775 is a great bet. The Pac 10 will be strong this year which will benefit USC. Even if USC loses 1 game, they should have no problem getting to the national championship game. Unless of course you have an undefeated team from the SEC and an undefeated team from the big 12.

[Intuitive_Edge]

Greek has USC and Texas both at +800 to win it. I'm pretty tempted on both of those, but like many others here, don't fancy having the money tied up that long. If only I could bet on credit...

Both are solid bets, as a big longhorn fan im obviously rooting for the latter

[ZBOIZ]

LSU is a way better bet than USC

[ZBOIZ]

bet the team not the name

[vito corleone]

LSU is the 3rd best team in the SEC West this year. LSU will be in the Peach Bowl. USC has a better chance than LSU.

[stats13]

bet the team not the name

wow zboiz has jumped up my idiot list quickly. you're saying SC doesn't have the team to back "the name"? how about carroll 88-15 in 8 years? how about 11 wins in the last 4 years? how about if this team just doesn't blow a stupid game, they've been the best team in the country? if ya dont believe me, tell me who woulda been favored over sc lately.

[footballmoney]

wow zboiz has jumped up my idiot list quickly. you're saying SC doesn't have the team to back "the name"? how about carroll 88-15 in 8 years? how about 11 wins in the last 4 years? how about if this team just doesn't blow a stupid game, they've been the best team in the country? if ya dont believe me, tell me who woulda been favored over sc lately.

Don't even try, to much humidity and dog kicking going on in the South for SEC fans to understand USC is a great team!

[ZBOIZ]

All I'm saying is USC will not win the National Championship. They are two young at the QB position. Do research on the last cpl of National Championship teams and you will see what I'm talking about.

[ZBOIZ]

LSU is the 3rd best team in the SEC West this year. LSU will be in the Peach Bowl. USC has a better chance than LSU.

LSU finished 3rd in the SEC west last year and now they suppose to finish 3rd every year ??

You have to be a fool to think Ole Miss is a better team than LSU. Don't forget this team just won a national title two years ago. Let's not forget them and Florida is the ONLY two time winning BCS national champs. Just because they had a bad year last year because of QB problems dont mean they will have a bad year every year. Florida lost 4 games two years ago and came back and won the national title the next year. With that being said you really should'nt put NO stock into last year for THIS YEAR. LSU will finish 1st in the WEST. Everyone wants to look at Ole Miss and Alabama but you are forgetting the team who dominates the west. LSU will be back next year!!

They have WAY WAY more talent than Ole Miss and have MORE talent than Alabama.

This team had the #1 recruiting class this year and was in the top 3 last year. Dont doubt this team!!

[ZBOIZ]

And another note. I know the SEC inside and out!!

Ole Miss will be a FLUKE this year!! Houston Nutt is NOT a good coach under pressure!!

Mark my words!!

[El Degeneroso]

USC is the best big-game team in the country, IMO. When have they not shown up for a giant match up. I, for one, think that they should have been in the NC game against Florida last year, and I think they would have won.

That said, it seems like a pretty solid trend that they have going with these recent losses to middling P10 teams. That, and a tough road schedule, will add up to at least 1 reg season loss this year. Also cannot discount the loss of what was prehaps the best college linebacking core of recent memory.

[Intuitive_Edge]

USC is the best big-game team in the country, IMO. When have they not shown up for a giant match up. I, for one, think that they should have been in the NC game against Florida last year, and I think they would have won.

Ugh no. Texas deserved to get in, and they got scammed straight up at #3.

[rossta4i]

I wouldn't put my money on SC. The QB is young, and it seems like no matter how good they look on paper they don't show up for couple games a year. I think it's hard for coach carroll to keep them motivated for games that they supposed to win with ease.

[Intuitive_Edge]

SC's QB having an MRI done i heard, and had their backup slinging practices.

[El Degeneroso]

Ugh no. Texas deserved to get in, and they got scammed straight up at #3.

Yeah probably so. But put UT and USC on the field last year, and my money goes with the Trojans. Obviously that's not how the BCS system works though.

It should be noted that now the reports have Corp with a crack in his left fibula, looking at missing 1-2 weeks of practice. I'd love to hear from some USC people as to whether they think that Barkley will seize this opportunity and grab hold of the starter's job for the season. We're only 3 weeks out from the season starting so I'd think this lost time (for Corp) will be vital in determining a starter.

Also I wonder, no matter how good Barkley is, and I hear that he is THAT good, no true freshman comes in and dominates from day 1. There's a steep learning curve involved here. Lotta freshman mistakes, just look at the Staffords and Peyton Mannings of the college football world. Future #1 overall picks who had almost 2-1 interception to TD rates as true frosh.

Regradless, things with the USC QB situation just got a lot more interesting. Like I said, would love to hear from USC (or anyone else really) as to how they think this news on Corp will affect the QB battle.

*Edit - Reason I'm so interested is that I have USC pegged as one of my favorite early picks of the season in week 2 v. Ohio St (early line USC -6) due to their domination of the B10 in general and their reputation in big games. I was planning on jumping on this game HUGE, but with Barkley back there I have a lot more uncertainty.

[roadwarrior1]

Im sure USC will be good this year........Matt Barkley will not start (no Im not an SC fan) but if Carroll uses him right away he is in trouble.
Im an LSU fan like ZBOIZ but do not agree with some of his statements but do agree with most of them. I think Houston Nutt is a great coach........and good under pressure.

The real test is endurance to me...........overall schedule. I want to put up both schedules and look at opponents side by side but im too lazy tonight to do so.........but I have looked at both SC and LSU and strength of schedule and that is the difference to me. Play Georgia, Florida, Auburn (not sure about them especially with Chizik but I have heard he has done a good job getting the program together?), Alabama...............and throw in Tulane (in state rivalry) in a 5 week period........SC plays Cal (is this another letdown season? we're waiting?) Notre Dame (maybe this year they will be bowl eligible but who knows), Ore St, Oregon (Talented football team), Az st. Now lets match up the "meat of the schedule". No one can say thats an evenly matched schedule..........so who is the better team? I say lets switch schedules and see who is still standing at the end............

[El Degeneroso]

Does everyone here love that LSU -16.5 in the opener as much as I do? With offensive talent like LaFell, Scott, and Black returning, along with what Jefferson did to stabilize the QB position last year, LSU is probably one of the 7 most talented teams in the country. While I do think Sark will do a better job at UW and I do like Locker as their QB, 0-12 speaks volumes as to the overall lack of talent in that program. Opinions from the LSU folks or anyone else?

[Intuitive_Edge]

week 2 v. Ohio St (early line USC -6) due to their domination of the B10 in general and their reputation in big games. I was planning on jumping on this game HUGE, but with Barkley back there I have a lot more uncertainty.

The line at -6 seems low which scares me if thats a realistic number.

[Intuitive_Edge]

Does everyone here love that LSU -16.5 in the opener as much as I do? With offensive talent like LaFell, Scott, and Black returning, along with what Jefferson did to stabilize the QB position last year, LSU is probably one of the 7 most talented teams in the country. While I do think Sark will do a better job at UW and I do like Locker as their QB, 0-12 speaks volumes as to the overall lack of talent in that program. Opinions from the LSU folks or anyone else?

Yes love LSU in that spot

[ZBOIZ]

I am an LSU fan and yes they are very very deep. Also with the #1 Recruiting class in the nation they are even more deeper.

I will give you guys the next best reciever in the nation who will start for LSU this year and he is as big as Brandon Lafell at WR his name is Rueben Randle. He will be the next Julio Jones of freshmans next year. He was the #1 Reciever in the nation last year and Les Miles said he is looking superb at practice and he cant keep him off the field.

[stats13]

still think so zboiz

[ZBOIZ]

still think so zboiz

yep

[stats13]

how ironic that it was not the freshman that lost it for SC this year

[ZBOIZ]

LSU is a way better bet than USC

Wow I took heat for this post. But i knew I was right the whole time. People so caught up that it's USC and no one is better than the ESPN darlings!!

[ZBOIZ]

still think so zboiz

Yep I still think so!! Maybe better talent. We beat Washington.

[Tomato]

Wow I took heat for this post. But i knew I was right the whole time. People so caught up that it's USC and no one is better than the ESPN darlings!!

Tomato wonders how a losing bet is better than a losing bet?

Do the books count it differently? Do you get more money back because you were closer to the spread, even though it lost?