Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Covers.com: Pac-10 College Football Betting Preview

Here is the link.

 

Cal-related quote:

California Golden Bears (+350)

Cal is considered a sleeper, not only for the Pac-10 title, but also to contend for the National Championship.  The Bears return 15 starters – seven on offense and eight on defense – to a team that struggled to a 4-4 record in conference play (3-5 against the spread) to finish the 2005 season.  Cal’s success hinges on its dynamic running game. The Bears return their top three rushers from a team that finished ninth in the nation last season with 235.3 yards on the ground.  The ground attack is led by junior tailback Marshawn Lynch, who ran for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 10 games last season. Lynch could use a passing game to help him out after Cal earned just 192.7 passing yards per game last season.  Two experienced quarterbacks return to compete for the starting job. Sophomore Nate Longshore has the edge over senior Joe Ayoob, though head coach Jeff Tedford hasn’t announced his starter quite yet.  One big problem for the Bears this season is their schedule. They only have one sure fire non-conference win against Division I-AA Portland State. They open up their season with a game at Tennessee, then a home game against Minnesota. They’ll also have to beat USC at home.

Prediction: 9-3 straight up, 6-6 against the spread

No comments: